North Bay’s chief of police says losing a local Needle Exchange program will be devastating.

The Nipissing Detoxification & Substance Abuse Program’s needle exchange is ending July 31st as a result of changes in the addiction services sector at the hospital.

Devine says ending the program could create unsafe situations for the general public and law enforcement as they’re the agency of last resort.

The program was responsible for handing out over 145,000 needles, getting back over 83,000 of them.

A report to the Police Services Board shows the Health Unit handed out over 43,000 needles and received over 25,000 back, while the AIDS Committee of North Bay and Area handed out over 39,000 needles and received nearly 35,000 back.