Katherine Town Council has been asked to approve the location of a free needle exchange vending machine in the town.
Council will be asked at its meeting on Tuesday night to approve the "discreet" location of the vending machine on a back wall of the Visitor Information Centre.
Similar injecting kits are already available through the vending machines in Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs.
The Menzies School of Health Research wants to expand the program to include Katherine, Tennant Creek, Nhulunbuy and more in Darwin suburbs.
The After Hours Dispensing Units aim to improve access to sterile injecting equipment to prevent blood-borne virus transmission and injecting-related injury and infection.
The units do not accept coins.
In his report to council, the chief executive office Ian Bodill said he had discussed the issue with Alderman Peter Gazey, a health professional, who believed the demand in Katherine would not be large but there was a need for it.
The dispensing units operate on a token system which are handed out by the NT Aids and Hepatitis Council.
Used syringes are returned to the dispensing packs, and deposited back in the vending machine as another is issued.
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Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
