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While there is only a very low risk of the transmission of HIV through poorly disposed-of medical wastes, at the same time, the ease of access to syringes and the like may only encourage the use of hard drugs. It should be remembered that outside of the Golden Triangle (Myanmar/Laos/Thailand), Afghanistan is seen as one of the largest sources of heroin through their cultivation of the poppy. The Afghan border is only a few kilometres from the earthquake area. Thus medical wastes MUST be disposed of (preferably burned in a deep pit) and sharps (needles and other sharp items) should be stored in a purpose prepared large plastic bottle for deep burial when full. See MSF (Medecins sans Frontieres) documentation for good examples of how this may be achieved.