Vending Machine Supplies Drug Utensils

Munich. An automat at Goetheplatz provides junkies with drug utensils for 50 Cents. It is the 2nd "preventive automat" in Munich. Aside from sterile needles, condoms are also available.

The set for 50 Cents consists of a needle, a canulla, ascorbic acid, a filter, alcohol tissues to disinfect the skin, a sterile spoon and a flyer, reports the Süddeutsche Zeitung. For another 50 Cents you get two condoms, lubricant and another information flyer.

It is the second "preventive machine" since 1998 in Munich. The first one was installed at the health centre in Dachauer Straße and caused a lot of agitation for worried residents and parents. They assumed that the machine would attract drug addicts and the used needles would be a threat to their children.

Twelve years later, according to AIDS support, which is responible for the 2nd machine being installed, there is nothing to complain about. The organization makes it well known that the machine has been introduced, and makes sure that the machine is always filled.

AIDS support director Thomas Niederbühl told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung, that the cheap supply of the sterile instruments reduce the infection of the deadly disease signifantly. With the machine they want to reach those who don't want to take councelling or help.