Portland Installs Needle Disposal Boxes

Portland is hoping these boxes will keep used needles out of city parks.

City leaders installed small lockable metal containers in Deering Oaks Park, Peppermint Park and Harbor View Memorial Park. Numerous complaints have been made about used needles and syringes being left in the parks. Deering Oaks Park in particular.

The boxes have an opening just big enough to deposit a needle or syringe. City staff have been trained in the collection of needles.

Portland is working on a bigger plan for addressing the heroin epidemic in the state. They're studding how other cities in the country have combated heroin.

Maine had 100 heroin or fentanyl overdose deaths in 2014. From the start of 2015 to June 30th, 63 people have died in the state.