For the first time in the Czech Republic, vending machines selling disposable, single-use syringes have been installed at two Prague railway stations to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases—such as hepatitis C and HIV—among intravenous-drug users, reports the Czech News Agency (CTK)/Prague Daily Monitor (praguemonitor.com, 5/3).

The syringe project—spearheaded by PROGRESSIVE, a  civic group—will give drug addicts access to clean syringes 24 hours a day. The machines sell two packages: One, a syringe and disinfection, costs 20 crowns, and a larger package includes clean water, vitamin C and another substance—all used to dilute drugs—sells for 30 crowns.

The program may lead to further machine installations in other Czech towns, CTK reports.