# What can I do with 1000 unused insulin needles? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2014, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036 "2014-04-01T00:30:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/21 "2014-04-01T22:28:26Z")
Syringes are a controlled substance. Seriously, I have been buying insulin and syringes for 25 years. They will sell the insulin without a prescription but not the syringes. Selling them might run you afoul of the law. > [@](#): > > Governmental control of syringes[edit] > In some jurisdictions, the sale or possession of hypodermic syringes may be controlled or prohibited without a prescription,[18] due to its potential use with illegal intravenous drugs.[19] ---
**Author:** ![Teddy\_Kennedy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Teddy\_Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teddy_Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/22 "2014-04-01T22:56:21Z")
Don’t even try to give them away (to any reputable organization, anyway). One of those needles could be infected with HIV for all your potential donatees know. I suggest trying the /diy/ board on 4chan. They’ll probably come up with some neat ideas. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2014, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/23 "2014-04-01T23:48:54Z")
If they’re still packaged, as told in the OP, they aren’t used and therefore do not have HIV or any other infectious agent in them. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/24 "2014-04-02T00:53:26Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Check your local laws before you attempt to sell them. I use bevels for a weekly injection and depending in the pharmacy they can be very tough to get sometimes. If the pharmacist doesn’t know you they always seem to treat you with suspicion. Even with my script for the medication they will only sell me 5 needless at one time, requiring a prescription to purchase more. I’m really not sure if they are regulated, but I would hate to hear you got busted for selling them. Damn, the base hospital tosses me a 2 100 count boxes per quarter year [2 shots per day x 90, and the boxes have 10 10 packs] with my scrip - I think I have around 200 stockpiled under the sink. [I also get the tips for the pens, my victoza is in a pen. I really wish I could get it in vial form instead.] If you went to your doc and asked for a scrip specifically for the syringes, would he/she give you one? Seems that a scrip for a box of 100 syringes would make sense if you also get your insulin in 90 day supplies. ---
**Author:** ![deregulated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7bcc69/32.png) [@deregulated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deregulated)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/25 "2014-04-02T13:12:39Z")
Many states have needle exchange programs to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. They are used by IV drug users. Without a supply of clean, unused needles they will use the same one over and over and share them with others. Anyone coming in contact with these people are at very high risk of infection even if they dont use drugs. Needle exchanges are the only thing out there that actually prevent the spread of AIDS, hepatitis, and a long list of other ailments. If your needles are still in the original packaging Im sure there is an exchange that will take them. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/26 "2014-04-02T15:44:10Z")
> [@deregulated](#): > > Many states have needle exchange programs to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. They are used by IV drug users. Without a supply of clean, unused needles they will use the same one over and over and share them with others. Anyone coming in contact with these people are at very high risk of infection even if they dont use drugs. Needle exchanges are the only thing out there that actually prevent the spread of AIDS, hepatitis, and a long list of other ailments. If your needles are still in the original packaging Im sure there is an exchange that will take them. They’re often private run and rely on donations. The county health department or local low-income or free clinic could refer the OP, or anyone else, to such a program if one exists in their area. I still think that priority should go to their diabetic friends. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/27 "2014-04-02T18:27:18Z")
If you have no need for them, take them to your doc or a nearby hospital and ask them to dispose of them for you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Girlfriend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.girlfriend/32/193_2.png) [@Dr.Girlfriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Girlfriend)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2014, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036/28 "2014-04-02T18:31:28Z")
Do you have a free clinic in your neighborhood? They might be able to use them. When my dad passed away we had several unopened boxes of insulin syringes that the clinic was happy to get. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-can-i-do-with-1000-unused-insulin-needles/685036.md?page=1)