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Drug Vending Machines

Posted by samzenpus on from the correct-change-only dept.

An anonymous reader writes "If you guessed San Bernardino County prisons as the ideal place to put drug vending machines, come claim your prize. From the article, 'Corrections departments are responsible for so many burdensome tasks that many of their everyday functions, like administering prescription drugs to inmates, are afterthoughts for the public. However, dispensing medication was so laborious and wasteful for the San Bernardino County (Calif.) Sheriff-Coroner Department that officials sought a way to streamline the process. The end product was essentially a vending machine that links to correctional facility databases and dispenses prescription medications.'"

8 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. I expected... by zergl · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I expected Heroin/Crack dispensers reading the headline.

    Left disappointed.

  2. What could go wrong by g0es · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It's a clever idea, but what is making sure they take the drugs?

    1. Re:What could go wrong by LordLimecat · · Score: 4, Informative

      Thats not what a Catch-22 is.

  3. Flushed down the toilet? by drinkypoo · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Pharmaceutical regulations require that if medication is prepared for a patient and he or she can't be reached, it's deemed undeliverable and must be destroyed. The leftovers are typically flushed down the toilet or incinerated.

    It should be illegal to flush medication down the toilet. Sewage often gets dumped unprocessed into waterways (especially when it is raining) and potent prescription medications can have significant effects when let loose in the world. It has gotten to the point where most drinking water in the USA not only has rocket fuel in it even after processing, but also antibiotics. If you don't think that will have serious repercussions, you're not thinking.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    1. Re:Flushed down the toilet? by schnikies79 · · Score: 4, Informative

      Flushing drugs down the toilet isn't the problem. The problem is that a large portion of many medications taken are simply peed away. Good luck telling people not to urinate in the toilet when they are taking antibiotics or birth control pills.

      --
      Gone!
  4. Re:Obligatory Futurama Reference by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    slips 1000$ bill in "Refreshing Crack!" vending machine

    I was about to comment that a rock will only set you back $20, but then I remembered how much a vending machine charged me for a soda recently.

  5. Re:This is for criminals? by MickyTheIdiot · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I would guess that these machines are probably NOT located in the game room, exercise room, or other common area where prisoners congregate. Even if secure room by themselves all you need is a normal guard to watch, which I am guessing is a lot cheaper than putting a pharmacist on staff.

  6. Re:This is for criminals? by SparkleMotion88 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Riiiight... You can achieve security by having a poorly paid guard keep an eye on the valuable prescription drugs in the prison.