MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The effort to place three sharps containers in Morgantown for used needles has hit another regulatory snag.
City manager Paul Brake told city council members this week Milan Puskar Health Right has to get regulatory approval from the state Infectious Medical Waste Program first.
Brake said they have been working with the staff and legal counsel to get the matter approved.
“In the permit it refers that is has to comply with any other agencies that would have jurisdiction, and there is an agency that does,” Brake said. “And that’s part of the state of West Virginia Infectious Medical Waste Program.”
Placing the container in a public place like a park makes the additional permit a requirement. If the proper permits are not obtained it could jeopardize public funding received by Health right.
“From the city perspective we’re ready to move on this today,” Brake said. “However, in order to do that we need the approval, so it’s incumbent upon Health Right to get the necessary approvals.”
Brake told councilors other sharps containers in the state are typically placed in or near public facilities.
There is no word on when the permit process will be completed.
Health Right peer recovery coach, Dani Ludwig told council members last November her organization would purchase, place and maintain the sharps containers.