NEEDLE DROP BOXES NOW UP

The city's first-ever needle drop boxes were placed in six different
location last week in an effort to stave off the number of dirty
syringes strewn in parts of the Winnipeg's core.

Health officials say the drop boxes are a safe way to dispose of used
needles and prevent accidental contact with contaminated syringes that
could potentially spread Hepatitis B, C, and HIV. Public health
experts can't say whether intravenus drug use is on the rise, but that
certain neighbourhoods have continued to report finding used needles
in specific locations.

The blue bins with biohazard symbols are attached to hydro poles at
King Street and Sutherland Avenue, Henry Avenue and Martha Street,
Sutherland Avenue east of Main Street, Henry Avenue walkway west of
Main Street, Good Street at Broadway, and in Osborne Village behind a
River Avenue church.

Earlier this year, front-line addiction workers reported an increase
in the number of inner-city addicts injecting heroin and other opiates
such as OxyContin.

"Certainly intravenous drug use is a high-risk activity for
transmitting viruses," said Dr. Mike Routledge, medical officer of
health for the Winnipeg region. "We know it's a serious potential risk
and whenever we hear about potential needle-stick exposures it's a
concern. So whatever we can do to put needles in a more secure place
is a good thing."

Routledge said public health staff, city officials, and members of the
Manitoba Harm Reduction Network tried to identify where abandoned
needles are most commonly found, to determine where the drop boxes are
most needed.

Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Street Connections team -- who
already distribute clean needles and safe crack kits in the inner city
- -- will check on the boxes weekly and empty the containers.

Routledge said similar programs have worked well in other cities, and
he is optimistic the same will prove true in Winnipeg.

Community groups say they support any measures to make disposal of
dirty needles safer.

Last summer, port-a-potties placed on the Salvation Army Booth
Centre's property were littered with used needles, prompting cleaning
staff from the Downtown Biz to temporarily close the toilets. Biz
executive director Stefano Grande said the drop boxes will help, but
it is also important that more comprehensive addiction treatment
programs be available to help substance abusers to get clean.

Main Street Project executive director Brian Bechtel said, "I think
there are probably lots of people around who use needle drugs," he
said, noting that's not the only reason people find needles on the
streets. "A lot of people in this community have diabetes and use
needles for a legitimate reason, but they're still dangerous and there
should be a safe place to put them."