While no solutions are in sight, Greater Sudbury is working to limit the impact of the opioid crisis by reducing the number of used syringes discarded on city streets.
Next week, the community services committee will consider adding another three used needle bins to the downtown area, bringing the total to 11.
“Greater Sudbury has been responsible for the monitoring, disposal and cost of the syringe recovery bins strategically located in the Greater Sudbury core,” a staff report says. “The bins are intended to reduce the possibility of unintended sharps accidents by providing a safe container for disposal.”
The bins were recommended in 2016 by the Community Drug Strategy Committee as part of a broader harm reduction strategy, the report said. The committee includes police, health and city representatives, as well as community groups on the front lines of the crisis.
Two bins were initially installed in 2016, and three more were installed the following year, at 200 Larch St., the green stairs on St. Anne’s Road and at Energy Court, behind 105 Elm St.
“Although the installed syringe recovery bins were well received and utilized, additional hot spots were identified and a business case for the 2018 budget process was submitted and approved for the purchase of three additional bins, along with the operating costs of pickup and disposal of all bins installed on city property,” the report said. “These bins were installed in the spring of 2018 at Memorial Park, the Main Library on Mackenzie Street, and on Leslie Street at the entrance of the Trans Canada Trail.”
But with the opioid crisis getting worse, and public concern about discarded needles in public spaces growing, the city is considering adding three more used syringe bins.
“The three locations that have been identified are on Paris Street (in the vicinity of Brady Square, Notre Dame Avenue (in the vicinity of the Salvation Army), and St. Catherine’s Street (in the vicinity of the Elgin Street tunnel),” the report said. “The locations will be finalized in 2019 based on recommendations from the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth.”
The community services will deal with the matter at its meeting March 18. Read the full report here.
