Whilst most drugs disposed of from the bins are prescription medication, illicit substances are also itemised and gotten rid of
Belfast’s largest public park is to get a drugs disposal bin, which will be the only outdoor bin of its nature in the city.
Elected members at a Belfast City Council committee meeting this week unanimously approved the placement of a RAPID bin in Ormeau Park, South Belfast. Details of the exact location have not yet been decided, but council officers said there was a “deficit” of disposal facilities in the area.
The RAPID initiative, short for Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs, aims to remove illegal and prescription drugs, as well as so-called “legal high” substances from streets by providing drug disposal bins within communities.
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RAPID also provides information and support to individuals, families, local businesses and community organisations to raise awareness of the effects and risks of using and misusing illegal and prescription drugs.
A report for the council’s People and Communities Committee states: “The Belfast Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team have indicated that there currently exists a gap in relation to a RAPID bin in the Ormeau area and were keen to explore options alongside Belfast City Council for a suitable location within the vicinity of Ormeau Park.
“The current provision of RAPID bins within Belfast are all placed indoors, typically within a shopping centre, GP surgery or community facility. The success of a RAPID bin, that is, those with the greatest disposals recorded, are locations where there is heavy footfall, where members of the public can pass through and dispose of any drugs within a matter of seconds.”
It adds: “Although Belfast does not have any outdoor bins currently, several locations outside of Belfast have utilised bins in outdoor locations with great success, one of the most successful outdoor bins is situated with a car park in Newry, with no issues reported.
“Initial engagement with BDACT Connections colleagues suggests that the preferred location, deemed most likely to be successful, would be in the vicinity of the entrance to Ormeau Park, on Ormeau Road, facing the Ormeau Library. Other potential locations to be considered would include the alternative entrance on Ormeau Road, opposite Candahar Street, or Ormeau Recycling Centre, off Park Road.”
PSNI and BDACT staff empty the bins regularly and record the types and quantities of drugs found before they are destroyed. Whilst most drugs disposed of are prescription medication, illicit substances are also itemised and disposed of.
No personal details are collected but substances may be tested for identification or toxicity. Currently, the most successful bins in Belfast are in the Kennedy Centre and Tesco stores at Ballygomartin, City Side and Knocknagoney.
At the June meeting of the council’s People and Communities Committee, held this week, SDLP Councillor Séamas de Faoite said: “In our view we would want to try and find something that is a little bit more discreet, while making sure we are able to provide this service appropriately.
“I am certainly happy for it to be sited at Ormeau Park. Fundamentally the approach here is that they are trying to reduce the amount of needles, which I think all of us agree on.”
DUP Councillor Ruth Brooks said the value of the bins was “understated” and work had to be done around their communication and promotion. She said: “People have been confused, thinking these are needle exchanges, when they are not. I remember when these were first launched, and there was some really good marketing, it was around old prescriptions, and asked people if they had old prescriptions that were out of date, not to throw them into the bin.
“There is a stigma around bringing old prescriptions back to pharmacies. I think it would be really worthwhile if we could have a little bit more marketing on these, (including) a map of where they are, making sure that people realise this is in relation to prescription drugs that are out of date or are no longer needed. A refresh on that would be really good.”
She also asked the council to “scope out additional places within our communities where these could be dropped off.”
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