Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2001 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2001 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.saskstar.sk.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Darren Bernhardt NEW NEEDLE DROP BOXES HIT THE STREETS Efforts to keep Saskatoon neighbourhoods safe from the dangerous, discarded syringes that often turn up in parks and playgrounds are now much more visible. Needle Safe Saskatoon, a coalition of community, health and fire protection groups, unveiled on Tuesday the first of 10 bright yellow drop boxes for depositing used hypodermic needles. The boxes will be placed in communities across the city over the next few days. According to Dr. Corey Neudorf, chief medical health officer for Saskatoon District Health (SDH), there were 1,423 reports of found needles between 1998 and 2000. Last year, Saskatoon Fire and Protective Services picked up 4,000 syringes. Though the numbers have skyrocketed, Neudorf said it's mainly because there is a better tracking system and more people are reporting found needles. Despite a lack of evidence to suggest the problem is growing, the boxes are necessary, said Neudorf. "Discarded needles pose a danger to the community because they may contain contaminated blood," he said, standing in front of the box on Avenue R South off 20th Street. The main targets are needles used by intravenous drug users but the boxes are also there for people who inject medication, such as insulin. The Needle Safe group is counting on users being responsible but Neudorf said he also hopes the general public will be more aware of where they can deposit needles they find. The refurbished mail boxes, donated by Canada Post, are bright yellow and clearly marked "biohazard." They will initially be checked often by SDH to determine how many needles are being collected. A regular collection period will follow and the needles will be sterilized and destroyed by a company in Aberdeen. A shift in location for the boxes may also be required. Calgary has had 12 boxes in place since November 1999 and nearly 15,000 needles have been collected. "In some cases, they'll have one on the corner and it is used very sparingly. But when they move it half a block over or behind some trees it gets used more," said Neudorf. "It will take some time for us to see how best to work things." During the past three years, Needle Safe has tracked syringe reports from across the city. "But we have a good idea as to where some of the more common areas are and that's where we'll start," said Neudorf, noting that no boxes will be placed without first consulting the community. So far there hasn't been any resistance to the program, he said, adding that one community group has even made requests for boxes. Among those areas considered for the boxes are Kinsmen Park, Kiwanis Memorial Park, Meewasin Park, the downtown bus mall, Walpole Avenue off Eighth Street, and the fire department's staff development centre on Avenue W. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom