Pubdate: Mon, 04 Apr 2016
Source: Kenora Daily Miner And News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Kenora Daily Miner and News
Contact: http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/letters
Website: http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/855
Author: Sheri Lamb
Page: 3

UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

Melting snow brings out the natural beauty of a community, 
unfortunately it also brings into sight garbage which was previously 
hidden underneath the snow.

Among the garbage can be discarded needles, which Kenora residents 
have been reporting, mainly through social media, that they have 
found at various places, including Anicinable Park. The Northwestern 
Health Unit's needle exchange program, which is part of its Harm 
Reduction Program services, has been blamed as the source of these needles.

Gillian Lunny, manager of the health unit's harm reduction program, 
said she cannot confirm whether the number of needles being found 
around Kenora in the spring of 2016 is higher or lower than in previous years.

"I can't necessarily say there's been an increase in the amount of 
needles found in the community, but there's an increased amount of 
attention certainly brought to it lately," said Lunny. "The Northwest 
Health Unit harm reduction program staff work very hard to ensure 
that the needles we give out are disposed of properly. We do that in 
lots of different ways. We work with our clients to make sure they 
know the importance of getting rid of their needles properly. We get 
calls once in a while about needles in the community and we pick them 
up and we proactively find them."

The Northwest Health Unit also has special puncture-proof containers 
set up at various sights in downtown Kenora, like beside Jubilee 
Church of God and in the washrooms at the Pavilion, where needles 
have been discarded.

Lunny said the health unit has a tracking system in place to keep 
track of needles that are given out, ones that are returned and for 
ones that are found by residents.

"We keep track of not only how many needles are found, but where 
they're being found. We don't hide what our numbers are," said Lunny. 
"If people want to know the number of needles we're giving out or how 
many client encounters we have I will share that information, it's 
not an issue."

But, Lunny added, she was concerned that if the NWHU shared its 
statistics they'd be used in a way that would sensationalize the 
issue, leading to more discrimination against their clients.

"We always want to make sure it's being shown in a holistic 
approach," said Lunny.

The needle exchange program was first set in Kenora around the 
mid-1990s, to Lunny's best estimation since records only go back to 
the year 2000. The program is mandated by the Ministry of Health and 
Long-Term Care. The purpose of the needle exchange program is to 
reduce the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C 
through the sharing of needles and drug preparation equipment.

The needle exchange program is one part of addressing health issues 
associated with injection drug use and not the solution to cure 
addiction, but a program to support those who are addicted.

When someone comes to the health unit requesting to do the needle 
exchange, Lunny said staff have to use their personal judgement when 
handing out the needles. The purpose of the program would be defeated 
if it was a one-for-one exchange, because many injectors do it up to 
10 times a day and aren't about to return each time for a fresh 
needle, so staff handles requests on a client-to-client basis.

There are safety measures a person can take when picking up a 
discarded needle (see sidebar below).

"The risk of getting an infection from poking yourself with a needle 
on the street is so minimal compared to the public health risk if 
people have to start sharing and reusing their needles," said Lunny. 
"If 100 unused needles are found in our community in a year that's a 
small price to pay for what could happen in our community if we limit 
and force people to start sharing needles."

If anyone would like to know more about the needle exchange and harm 
reduction programs, there will be an information session, Tuesday, 
April 5, 6 p.m. at the Northwest Health Unit City View location 
(formerly Mount Caramel School). In order to plan to provide 
refreshments, the health unit is asked that you email to  if you can attend.

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Tips from NWHU on safe needle pick-up

Steps to take for safe needle pick-up:

* If possible use gloves and tongs to pick up needles; * Don't put 
the cap back on the needle; * Place the needle in a hard-sided 
plastic container, tightly seal and label "Needle"; * Wash hands with 
soap and water or use hand sanitizer after picking up a needle; *- 
Return the needle to your local NWHU office; * Never put needles down 
the toilet, in drains or in the garbage
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom