Boost for drugs disposal scheme as another RAPID bin launched in Co Antrim

The third RAPID (Remove All Prescription and Illegal Drugs) bin in Mid and East Antrim has been launched in the Asda store in Larne.
By The Newsroom
Published 29th Dec 2021, 14:52 BST
Andrew Millar from Start 360, PCSP chair councillor Danny Donnelly, Catherine McCallion, community champion Asda, Mayor William McCaughey, William Brown, Asda store manager, an officer from Larne Neighbourhood Policing Team and PCSP vice chair Mary WatsonAndrew Millar from Start 360, PCSP chair councillor Danny Donnelly, Catherine McCallion, community champion Asda, Mayor William McCaughey, William Brown, Asda store manager, an officer from Larne Neighbourhood Policing Team and PCSP vice chair Mary Watson
Andrew Millar from Start 360, PCSP chair councillor Danny Donnelly, Catherine McCallion, community champion Asda, Mayor William McCaughey, William Brown, Asda store manager, an officer from Larne Neighbourhood Policing Team and PCSP vice chair Mary Watson

Two other RAPID bins are located in Ballymena Health Centre on the Cushendall Road and Tesco on the Larne Road, Ballymena.

The initiative is aimed at helping to remove prescription and illegal drugs from the streets by providing drug disposal bins.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

RAPID was initially piloted in 2010 and due to the success of the joint health and community safety initiative, further bins have been installed throughout Northern Ireland in partnership with key statutory, community and voluntary groups.

Since 2010, over 100,000 tablets have been deposited in Belfast RAPID bins alone.

Ninety per cent of the drugs handed in are prescription or over-the-counter medicines but illegal drugs have also been deposited.

Councillor William McCaughey, mayor of Mid and East Antrim, said: “We’re delighted to be involved in supporting this initiative in Larne.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) is working hard to support all our citizens who may be dealing with addiction in whatever form.

“The RAPID bin provides an invaluable opportunity for anyone to dispose safely and anonymously of any unused or discarded drugs both legal and illegal.

“We are extremely grateful to Asda in Larne for supporting us in delivering this initiative.”

——— ———

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers — and consequently the revenue we receive — we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Ben Lowry

Editor

Related topics:LarneASDA