VIDEO: The responsibility for picking up discarded drug needles in La Crosse now lies with the Fire Department, but health agencies are discussing the possibility of a shift. The AIDS Resource Center has a needle exchange program, which works as a harm reduction strategy to prevent disease. Although most of the needles the center gives out make it back, not all are properly disposed-and some are left outside. Community members have expressed interest in helping out, and the Heroin and Other Illicit Drug Task Force, along with other organizations, are looking into the possibility of a volunteer pickup program. Fire Chief Gregg Cleveland said the department began picking up the needles about two years ago "It just seemed like the most efficient way at the time, not knowing the call numbers would continue to grow each and every year,” he said. Cleveland said so far this year, the department has been out on over 250 calls, resulting in anywhere from one to over 50 needles each time. "If have the opportunity to do training, inspections or any of the other functions I'd much rather do that than to go out and pick up a needle,” he said. If the volunteer program works out, the Fire Department may no longer have to worry about picking up needles.