COUNCIL OKAYS NEEDLE EXCHANGE

Needle disposal sites are coming to several Invermere public
washrooms.

Interior Health and the District of Invermere will work together to
install secure disposal sites for syringes in various spots around the
community, which could include Kinsmen Beach and the Mount Nelson
Athletic Park.

Public health nurses Crissy Stavrakov and Jeff Quinn were at district
council September 12, and told councillors they've found used needles
lying on the ground in public playgrounds and on hiking trails.

"We've also talked with pharmacists and they've been selling needles
and not getting them back in the proper manner, or not getting them
back at all," Quinn added.

While there is a disposal site at the Invermere Health Unit, Quinn
said studies show public health facilities are typically used by fewer
than 20 per cent of intravenous drug users.

"If there is a safe place to dispose of these needles hopefully you
will have less of a chance of spreading communicable diseases like HIV
and Hepatitis C to people who would otherwise not be exposed," he added.

The boxes will be maintained and paid for by Interior Health, with the
district covering installation costs. In addition to needle disposal,
the units can also take glass stems used for smoking crack.

Stavrakov says similar boxes are already in place in Golden, which has
a "busy, busy" needle exchange program.

"I think we'd be naive to assume there isn't a population needing
these services," she added.

The boxes will likely be placed in washrooms, rather than outdoors,
because needle use is more common in areas that afford some privacy,
the nurses said. However, the district and Interior Health will also
look at having some boxes be accessible at all hours.

"I think it's long overdue, frankly," councillor Bob Campsall said of
the plan. "We know there is a problem with needle use and drug use in
the valley, and it's probably more urgent than people recognize...
it's better we get it in the open."