NEEDLE EXCHANGE KITS OFFERED AT HEALTH UNIT

Recently Edgewater residents have been coming across discarded
hypodermic needles in their community. While the needles can be used
for injecting insulin for diabetics to illicit drugs, there's concern
that a young child could come in contact with a sharp.

"It's a possibility that they may carry an infection," said Dr. Doug
Kittle, Medical Health Officer with Interior Health. "The likelihood
of it carrying a viable infectious agent is dependent on the length of
time it's been abandoned."

Due to the elements, within minutes of exposure, the chances of a
needle carrying a viable infection is greatly reduced.

He noted that there is a chance of a needle carrying a blood borne
infection, such as Hepatitis B, C or HIV, with Hepatitis C being the
most infectious.

"However, these are viruses and exposure to the elements would render
them unviable within a very short period of time," Dr. Kittle furthered.

He cautioned that anyone who encounters a needle stick injury, in
addition to washing the affected area, should receive a tetanus shot
if they haven't had one recently.

Public Health Nurse Brenda Marsman, with the Invermere Health Unit,
said that needles can be properly disposed of by being placed in a
glass jar with a secure lid, or by bringing them to the health unit
for disposal in a sharps container.

The health centre also offers free needle exchange kits, a service
which was formalized at the local health unit within the past two years.

"We have that service, but nobody here uses it," stated Marsman,
adding that the service has never been utilized.