Pubdate: Mon, 15 Jul 2002 Source: Albuquerque Journal (NM) Copyright: 2002 Albuquerque Journal Contact: http://www.abqjournal.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/10 Author: Jackie Jadrnak TAMPER-PROOF DROP BOXES CONSIDERED The state Department of Health is looking for more ways people can safely dispose of needles. It is ordering a half-dozen drop boxes in which users of injection drugs - both legal and illegal - can deposit used syringes. The first batch will be installed in public health offices in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, probably within a month, according to Don Torres, section head for HIV/AIDS/hepatitis programs with the department. The final number may reach two dozen, and the department is negotiating with the city of Albuquerque for places to locate some of those, he said. Although medical centers have safe ways to dispose of needles, no avenues exist to dispose of needles used at home, Torres said. People with diabetes, for example, who use needles to inject insulin, generally toss those needles out with their household trash, he said. "That's not safe for city garbage workers or anyone going through the trash," he said. Drop boxes have been tried successfully in the city of Baltimore and state of Connecticut, he said. Those programs used refurbished mail boxes that were placed on street corners. The Department of Health is purchasing tamper-proof boxes specifically manufactured for needle disposal, he said. The department is also working with pharmacies, where people can purchase syringes, in order to provide safe, disposable containers for them, he said. In addition, Albuquerque Parks and Recreation employees are getting special disposal packs and training in how to safely handle discarded needles, Torres said. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth