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.