The controversial proposal would reduce the threat to cleaning staff who could be injured if needles are hidden.
At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, even though there was a needle or "sharps" bin for each team in the athletes' village, workers still suffered 400 stab injuries.
Injured staff have to endure a series of blood tests to screen them for diseases like hepatitis and HIV.
Many athletes use needles to inject themselves with vitamins quite legitimately, while others take the chance that they won't be dope-tested and use banned substances. The issue has now been discussed by members of the Games medical committee, as well as cleaning and waste disposal experts. They are worried the possibility of illegal drug-taking could lead to a significant number of needles being hidden and threatening cleaners' safety.
They proposed each athlete should be issued with a private bin which nobody else will have access to and which they will be able to take away with them.
Illegal
A source said: "It is shocking that we have to go to these lengths to protect staff but it's something that has been learned from the Sydney experience.
"Many of the athletes will be taking vitamins and have no problem with a communal sharps bin but those that don't want evidence of their drug-taking to be found - presumably because it's illegal - won't be keen to do that. There are a lot of athletes from Commonwealth countries where blood-borne diseases are rife and this is a sensible and realistic solution to something that, however unsavoury, cannot be ignored.
"Nobody wants to be seen to be condoning drug-taking but there is little alternative without putting totally innocent staff at risk."
Commonwealth Games bosses have refused to comment on the matter or to confirm how they will handle the needle problem. However, a spokesman said: "Top class athletes have a range of requirements when living and preparing for competition.
"M2002 is committed to providing facilities to enable those athletes the most efficient and relaxing circumstances in which to prepare.
"However, to take one minor issue out of that context for debate would be to open it up to misrepresentation by implication and we don't propose to do so.
"Our contracted cleaning staff have carried out a full risk assessment, have had the proper health and safety training and are fully qualified to deal with sharps issues."