(Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

NEEDLE PICK UP

City of Kamloops ramping up needle collection efforts with provincial grant

Mar 10, 2020 | 5:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — Needle disposal and collection will be getting more attention within the City of Kamloops, as the B.C. government recently approved a $45,000 grant for harm reduction initiatives.

The funding comes from a Community Health and Harm Reduction grant under the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. The money will be used to bring in more tamper-proof sharp disposal bins, have clean up conducted in various locations, and monitor needle disposal in the community.

Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says Minister Judy Darcy phoned him yesterday (Mar. 9) to say that the application went through for the funds.

“That’s the Community Action Team that has made that application. So it’s a combination of ASK Wellness, and Lii Michif Otipemisiwak and the North Shore Business Improvement Association. They’re going to focus on sharps collection, and that will reduce the risk of needle stick injury for Kamloops residents.”

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Along with having people go out to pick up sharps, Christian says the grant will also pay for additional collection boxes to be set up in areas with higher volumes of needles on the ground.

An existing sharps disposal bin near McDonald Park in Kamloops. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

Aaron Mankowske with Spoke Bike and Ski along West Victoria Street says the clean-up and maintenance that will come from the grant money will certainly be appreciated in that section of the city.

“It’s something that we can really benefit from around here in the area. I know a lot of the other businesses around will as well. It is quite a problem, quite an epidemic, and it’s something that is definitely a health concern that we have to deal with on a bit of a daily basis,” he explains. “So I’m definitely all for any increased funding.”

Used needles left in public space is a concern from a residential safety point of view, but the sharps left on commercial or private property has also brought extra work, and worry to businesses in Kamloops.

Needle debris left behind Stereo Warehouse / Sisters Sleep Gallery (Image Credit: Contributed)

“As far as clean up goes, I’m outside, and other people too, on a daily basis just because trash and stuff gets strewn around,” notes Mankowske, “And as far as needles go, I’m probably finding needles at least twice a week.”

Given that the needles are distributed by Interior Health as a harm reduction strategy, Christian adds that the city would prefer the health authority to have a larger role in collection.

“We’ve said that for ages, but they seem to be focused on more upstream harm reduction activities, and so be it.”

The plan is to employ people with lived experience to help with clean-up and monitoring, while increasing collection bins — all part of the city’s efforts to reduce the safety issues coming from needle distribution.

“This problem that we have is not a problem that is unique to any one neighbourhood — I’ve said that many, many times,” stresses Christian. “And this is a problem that we have to face as a community, and this is part of our actions in this regard.”