Belfast City Council has approved the installation of an outdoor drugs disposal bin in Ormeau Park. It will be the only outdoor RAPID bin in the city, addressing a deficit of disposal facilities in the area.

The RAPID initiative, which stands for Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs, provides secure bins for the public to deposit unwanted prescription medications, illegal substances, and so-called legal highs. Currently, all RAPID bins in Belfast are located indoors in places such as shopping centres, GP surgeries, and community facilities.

Council officers reported that the Belfast Drug and Alcohol Coordination Team identified a gap in services for the Ormeau area. The preferred location for the new bin is near the park entrance on Ormeau Road, facing Ormeau Library. Alternative sites include the other entrance opposite Candahar Street or the recycling centre off Park Road.

PSNI and BDACT staff empty the bins regularly and record the types and quantities of drugs before destruction. Most items are prescription medications, but illicit drugs are also catalogued. No personal data is collected, though substances may be analysed for identification or toxicity.

At a meeting of the council’s People and Communities Committee, SDLP Councillor Seamas de Faoite said he supported the plan and hoped the bin would reduce discarded needles. He stressed that the location should be discreet while remaining accessible.

DUP Councillor Ruth Brooks highlighted the need for better communication about the bins. She noted that some residents mistake them for needle exchanges, when they are actually intended for safe disposal of out-of-date or unwanted medicines. She called for refreshed marketing and a map of bin locations, and urged the council to explore additional sites across the city.

The most successful RAPID bins in Belfast are currently in the Kennedy Centre and Tesco stores at Ballygomartin, City Side, and Knocknagoney. Outdoor bins elsewhere, such as one in a Newry car park, have operated without issues.