Walking Barefoot Outside Hazardous

SYRINGES SOMETIMES FOUND IN PUBLIC PLACES

With warmer weather approaching, people enjoying the outdoors are
urged to stick with footwear, even though it's tempting to tan the
tootsies.

"Warm weather's happening and people of all ages are walking around
without footwear," said Rosemary Moran, public health nurse. "Powell
River Needle Exchange program is urging people to keep an eye on the
ground. Wearing footwear at all times outdoors is prudent."

Linda Grise, needle exchange coordinator, said in order to minimize
disease and to keep people safe, the exchange provides sterile needles
and other harm-reduction supplies, along with education. While most
people availing themselves of the service are conscientious, sometimes
people do not properly dispose of syringes. Grise said if people find
them, the exchange recommends that nobody pick them up and really
stresses the idea they should access the fire department.

Tom Ellis, deputy fire chief, said this year crews are not going out
as frequently for needle pickups as they have in past. What they are
finding is they are getting calls from apartment managers or people
with rental homes who are picking up 200 or 300 used needles.

"Two weeks ago, on two occasions, people brought in two bags of
needles and there were 700 combined," Ellis said. "The crews at the
fire hall were looking at the bags and there were syringes sticking
out. It took at least half a day to sort through the stuff and to put
it into sharps containers."

Grise said it's recommended that people do not handle the needles.
"The fire department is willing to do that," she said. "They will come
and safely dispose of them rather than people putting themselves at
risk by bringing in used needles in bags."

Moran said people using the needles can pick up sharps containers at
the needle exchange to help safely dispose of the needles and help
work toward 100-per-cent safe disposal.

Grise said that in Powell River, needle pickups are way down compared
to last year. Needle distribution is also down 50 per cent. "Last year
we gave out 20-some thousand and this year it's 12,500," she said.

Currently there is a 79-per-cent return rate. "We had about 1,700
unaccounted for but with the fire department picking more up, that is
altering the ratio. The vast majority of needles going out are coming
back," Grise said.

"We have no idea of why there are [fewer] needles going out. We are in
the process of working on that. I have quite a few clients that are
making positive changes and are going into treatment. Let's hope the
drop is for the good."

Ellis said if people find needles and want the fire department to
dispose of them, they are to call 911 and ask the dispatcher to direct
them to fire. "Callers do not have to explain because the dispatcher
may not relay the message if it's evident the call is about needles,"
Ellis said. "We've had that happen so when people phone 911, ask for
fire and we'll look after it."

Moran said if people do get stabbed they should go to the hospital
emergency department after washing the spot well with soap and water
and allowing the wound to bleed freely. It should then be covered lightly.

"Do not cut, promote bleeding, scratch or squeeze the site," she said.
"Damaged tissue increases the uptake of any pathogens."

Grise said there hasn't been a poke reported in several years, "which
is good."

For more information, readers can call 604.485.3310 and leave a
message if Grise is not in.

Harm reduction programs in place

For people who are using drugs, Powell River Needle Exchange program
encourages them to use the needle exchange for harm reduction to
prevent the spread of disease.

Rosemary Moran, public health nurse, said the primary goal is to keep
people safe and minimize diseases and viruses, such as hepatitis B, C
and HIV.

There is a drop-in program running Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from
12:30 to 4 pm. "It's confidential and people can discretely access the
needle exchange through a private entrance on the third floor of
Powell River General Hospital at the rear of the building," she said.

Every first and third Tuesday, a clinic is offered at the Community
Resource Centre. A public health nurse is available from noon to 2 pm.
Services include education, testing and treatment for most sexually
transmitted infections, HIV testing and support, hepatitis screening,
emergency contraception, immunizations and smoking cessation. "The CRC
is well used and accessible," Moran said.

Linda Grise, needle exchange coordinator, said the goal is to educate
about safer injection practices, safer sex and sexual health
practices, and provide referrals to treatment options, health and
other social services required, such as social assistance, housing and
food.

"We want to keep everybody free from harm," she said.