Needle drop box plan rejected by Baker County Library District board
By Joe Hathaway on Monday, January 15th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The sharp issue of whether to install a hypodermic needle disposal box outside the Baker County Library has come to an end.
The Baker County Library District board voted 3-1 to reject a proposal from New Directions Northwest to install a needle disposal box outside the library in Baker City.
New Directions Northwest had offered to install and maintain the box at no cost to the district.
Elkhorn Media Group has reached out to New Directions for comment.
The board’s decision followed a public survey initiated in November, seeking residents’ opinions on the proposed drop box. Library Director Perry Stokes reported that approximately 65% of respondents opposed placing a disposal box outside the library. The survey also inquired about the possibility of installing needle disposal boxes inside the library’s restrooms, with about 76% of respondents opposing that idea.
Stokes said more than 230 comments were received on the matter.
Board member Ashley McClay, in a statement to the board, expressed support for harm reduction efforts, including the needle drop box. She highlighted the potential benefits for those with medical needs who struggle with sharps disposal fees, such as diabetes patients using needles for insulin injections. However, after careful consideration of public responses and the limited number of needles found on library grounds, McClay ultimately voted against the proposal.
Stokes previously mentioned that library workers had occasionally found needles in trash bins on the property, averaging about two per year, but recently dropping to about one per year.
Library board member Kyra Rohner cast the lone dissenting vote, believing that the drop box would not invite public drug use and could enhance public safety. Stokes clarified that there are no records of a drug overdose on library grounds.
Stokes tells Elkhorn Media Group that the matter may be revisited in a few years, if necessary.
“On behalf of the Library Board, I want to thank all those who participated in the community survey on this matter,” said Stokes. “While we aren’t partnering on this particular project, we also greatly appreciate the offer from NDNW and all it does for the community.”
