The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit wants to put a needle disposal bin in Haliburton.
H.K.P.R. Nurse Francine Fernandes made the presentation at Dysart et al council this morning saying having a place to dispense needles is important for safety.
Mayor Murray Fearrey asked Fernandes if it would encourage people to use drugs but she said people who have addictions will satisfy them one way or the other.
Fearrey says community safety is paramount.
Fernandes adds the health unit’s contact information is on each disposal box so people looking to break the habit can get help.
According to the presentation, it costs $100 to provide an individual with needles for a year.
However, care for H.I.V. costs the heath system up to $250,000 while a liver transplant for hepatitis C could be around $120,000.
Both infections can be transmitted through used nedles.