A NEW secure disposal bin to reduce drug-related litter has been installed in Glasgow city centre.
The needle drop box, which is the first of its kind in Glasgow, is located in the Trongate area and will allow people who are injecting drugs away from home to safely dispose of needles and syringes.
John Campbell, Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) manager at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, says the bin is one of a range of measures that have been implemented in recent years, such as single-use injecting packs, water for injecting and foil as an alternative to needles for people using heroin, to reduce drug-related litter in the city.
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It is located on New Wynd, which is near the busiest needle exchange in the greater Glasgow area.
Campaigner Peter Krykant previously operated a safe drugs consumption van on Parnie Street near the lane.
John explained: "Historically, this area has been known for people who are injecting away from home, and with that has come quite a high level of drug-related litter.
"This is obviously something that affects the community, so the installation of the public needle bin was designed directly to reduce injecting related litter, but particularly needles and syringes in the immediate vicinity where people are preparing and injecting drugs."
The bin was installed on Wednesday, May 17 and has already been used to safely dispose of needles and other related items.
John said: "I’m very pleased to see it’s been used and also pleased to see it’s been used for the appropriate purpose.
"There are quite a few needles and syringes and other bits of paraphernalia disposed of, and disposed of properly."
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He added: "We hope it’s convenient for service users to positively discard of their needles as soon as possible after they've finished injecting.
"If those needles aren’t discarded in public places then we hope that’s a benefit for the community because they don’t have to face or deal with that on a daily basis."
If the drop box is successful, it is hoped more will be installed at other key locations across the city.
One service user, who spoke to the Glasgow Times anonymously, says he thinks the bin is a "good idea".
He said: "Even as a user I hate seeing people leaving their stuff everywhere.
"There will always be people who don’t care but hopefully those who do will use it.
"Once people know there is a bin five yards away, hopefully, they’ll walk the five yards."
A spokesperson for Glasgow City Council said: "The installation of the needle disposal bin is an important part of the ongoing work to improve the safety of the community frequenting the city centre.
"The area where the bin is is a key location for discarded needles and already we know the bin is being used both by service users and indeed workers who find needles in the public realm.
"Not only is this encouraging to hear but reinforces the need for the bin at this location."
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