1. A method for controlling access to and segregating items dispensed from a vending machine having a stock of said items, said method comprising: vending an item only when a control procedure is satisfied; storing a record indicating said vended item has been dispensed; quarantining those vended items which are inserted into a port of said vending machine that conveys said inserted vended item to a secure repository; updating said record to indicate said vended item has been returned to said secure repository; and providing a sheet containing identifying information associated with said returned item and inserting said sheet through a slot on said machine for storage within said machine.