MySafe says regular check-ins show no signs of drug diversion with safe-supply vending machines

MySafe has released a statement about their machines in response to concerns about drug diversion discussed in the media. The vending-machine-style MySafe machines dispense hydromorphone tablets (dilaudid) to people addicted to street drugs. “Their prescription is stored in a highly secure storage locker, that can be accessed once per day using a biometric palm scan. It was done as an ethical response to over 11,000 people who have died due to toxic street drugs,” the organization said in its statement. The organization points out that the people who use the machines must undergo a complete medical and social assessment and use a biometric hand profile to allow them access to the tablets. In addition, the pills are dispensed on a regulated schedule. “We carefully screen and select participants and do regular follow-up interviews and urine tests and always find dilaudid in the samples. On two occasions we have not, we spoke with the participant to assess whether continuing with the program was right for them,” the company said. “We cannot say 100% that there has never been diversion to another person as this is the very nature of the unregulated drug market. From what we have observed, any diversion is to a friend or partner who is drug sick.” Read: Bromazolam detected on N.B. streets prompting renewed calls for safe opioid supply The vast majority of legal dilaudid prescribed in Vancouver—over 95%—comes from safe supply programs, primarily through pharmacy pick-ups and deliveries. MySafe says it cannot totally guarantee what its participants do with the pills—just as there’s no way to tell for certain what happens after pharmacy pick-ups or in-house deliveries. But “regular check-ins have never indicated any cases reported to any staff or peers or clients of youth diversion” from MySafe machines, it says. It also says that while MySafe is not for people under 18, youth need improved education about drugs and addiction. “We need to ask ourselves the bigger picture here and acknowledge why and what youth are doing to not die from the toxic drug supply. It is becoming clearer that young people need support and safer access too,” the statement notes. And, it points out, the program can be life-saving. “We have seen some dramatic changes in [the lives of people using MySafe]. It creates a much-needed stability in the client so that they can get their life back and, in many cases, has lead to reduction with some in full recovery,” says the statement. Read: Mayors, police and businesses push Ontario for help on homelessness and opioid crisis

MySafe says regular check-ins show no signs of drug diversion with safe-supply vending machines

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