Safe Needle Program

Protect yourself from diseases like HIV and Hepatitis.
Use a new needle, alcohol swabs and sterile supplies every time you inject.

Protect your family and community. Safely dispose of used needles at home.

Safe Community

• Keep needles away from kids and pets.
• Get tested for HIV and hepatitis.
• Get clean needles:
  • If you use needles for medical reasons, call your doctor.
  • If you are an IV drug user, call Safe Point (614-460-1406) for needles, treatment and overdose prevention.
  • If you find needles in your neighborhood, call 311.

Safe Disposal

• Buy a sharps container at the pharmacy.
• Use an outdoor needle drop box.
• Return used needles and get new ones at a needle exchange program.
• Always place used needles in a safe container.
• Place needles in a hard plastic bottle (bleach, 2-Liter Pop) with screw top.
  • Seal the cap tightly using duct tape.
  • Label the bottle "Danger. Needles Inside."
  • Place the bottle in a tied trash bag and put it in a trash can.

Don't:

• Use needles more than once.
• Share needles with anyone.
• Inject in the same spot over and over again.
• Try to remove, bend, break or recap needles.
• Throw used needles in the trash, recycling bins, or on the ground.
• Flush needles down the toilet or drop them into storm drains. 

You can also safely drop-off used needles at the following locations:

Safe Point (Equitas Health)
1267 West Broad St
Columbus OH, 43222

• Tuesdays: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
• Wednesdays: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
• Fridays: 9:00am - 1:00pm
• Saturdays: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Syringe Disposal Boxes

Unless listed differently below, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

North Columbus

Franklin County JFS (Northland Opportunity Center)
1721 Northland Ave
Columbus, OH, 43229

Columbus Fire Station #18
1630 Cleveland Ave
Columbus, OH 43211

Linden Library Branch
2223 Cleveland Ave
Columbus, OH 43211
(on the Kohr Pl. side of building)

Near East Side

Franklin County JFS (Near East Opportunity Center)
1055 Mt. Vernon Ave
Columbus, OH 43203

Central Columbus

Columbus Public Health (next to rear entrance of the building)
240 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH 43215

South Columbus

John Maloney Center (on the Barthman Ave side of the building)
1905 Parsons Ave
Columbus, OH 43207

Corpus Christi Church
1111 Stewart Ave
Columbus, OH 43206

Maryhaven
1791 Alum Creek Dr
Columbus, OH 43207

Maryhaven Stabilization Unit
1430 S. High St
Columbus, OH 43207

West Columbus

Hilltop Library Branch (on the Powell Avenue side of the library)
511 S. Hague Ave
Columbus, OH 43204

Columbus Fire Station #17
2250 W. Broad St
Columbus, OH 43204

Netcare Access
199 S. Central Ave
Columbus, OH 43223

Dodge Recreation Center
667 Sullivant Ave
Columbus, OH 43222