SAN DIEGO -- The city of San Diego has received an alarming number of dirty syringes from a program aimed at reducing the spread of disease, with nearly 1 million dirty needles having been collected since 2001.

While the city believes providing clean syringes will stop the spread of disease and offer a chance for addicts to stop using, not everyone agrees.

"I don't agree because that makes it worse. They never give up, they will never get better," said North Park resident Katherine Swords.

In 2001, the city implemented the Clean Syringe Exchange Program, which allows people to pick up clean needles at mobile trucks around town.

One truck sets up in North Park once a week and Swords said she is not happy about it.

"They'll hang around here even when they're finished with their drugs," said Swords.

According to a recent report by the city, the program is effective and necessary. It has accepted 134,763 more syringes than it dispense, making it safer at parks and playgrounds.

"It's better for them to be safe anyway because they're gonna do it; it's an addiction," said North Park resident Tate Pfanmiller.

Some residents believe the pick-up locations should rotate.

"I suppose there's some merit to the idea as long as they don't get dependent on the idea that they can get free needles whenever they want in a spot," said North Park resident Dane Dormio.

The report showed the number of hepatitis cases has gone up slightly, while the number of AIDS cases went down slightly.

The program has also helped refer more than 2,000 people to detoxification services and 2,000 more to drug treatment programs.

The program does not cost the city any money as a nonprofit organization pays for it.