I have long-favoured the quite common, though not universal, US approach that places sharps bins in publicly accessible locations to permit drop-off of used sharps by diabetics and others.

In the absence of, or substituting for more personalised disposal arrangements when a user is given their own sharps bin and arrangements are made for collection or disposal (via a GP, hospital or pharmacy),  this is a sound idea. Many districts, towns, cities and States take this further, and organise periodic pharma waste collection or drop-off events, or permit small quantities of waste pharmaceuticals to be placed in the public sharps bins.

Another such scheme has been rolled out in Medway, Massachusetts. Great idea, but if the bin is to encourage the drop off of IVDUs (addicts) needles, then placing the bin under the ever-watchful scrutiny of Mr Policeman will probably be counter-productive.

http://www.milforddailynews.com/newsnow/x90719191/Medway-police-station-offers-kiosk-for-sharps-disposal#axzz2UOPLUi4W

It’s a little like the blade and firearms amnesty boxes in the front hall of many police stations in the UK. Fundamentally, a great idea. But who is going to approach a police station with an illegal firearm or blade, under the watchful eye of CCTV?

We must begin to find better places for secure needle/sharps and drug disposal bins, in public places, at the supermarket or elsewhere to make it easy for users to take their needles, free from any fear of police or other regulatory attention. Regrettably, but understandably, that will continue to force drug use underground and fail to address the wide scale problem of discarded sharps.