Secure sharps bins to allow injecting drug users to safely dispose of used needle and syringes have been installed in five public toilets in Belfast city centre.

The council said it took the measure due to the number of needles found by cleaners and members of the public.

The first bin was installed on the Dublin Road at the end of 2014.

Since then, four more have been put in public toilets in Custom House Square, Lombard Street, the Gasworks site on the Ormeau Road and the Antrim Road.

Well done Belfast.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-31632053

Hopefully, other Local Authorities will follow suit and brave the adverse publicity to install secure sharps bins in all public toilets and in other recognised hotspots where discarded sharps are found. There will be a cost to this, but the cost of a sharps injury may be far greater and every attempt must be taken to prevent exposure to injury and possible infection.