Interior Health nervous about needle exchanges

Interior Health is discouraging needle return programs like one launched earlier this month in Penticton.

Sunrise Pharmacy is offering people five cents for each used syringe returned to the shop, in a bid to reduce the number of discarded drug needles being found in the community. A similar program is also being operated in Kamloops.

IH said in a statement issued Friday it has two main concerns about such collection efforts: the possibility of people being poked while counting needles, and that placing a monetary value on syringes will encourage people to steal used needles from sharps containers or return new, unused syringes.

The statement goes on to note that 99 per cent of needles distributed by Interior Health in 2017 were collected again for safe disposal, and that those who want to help track down the other one per cent should work with the health agency, municipalities or social service providers on collaborative programs.

“All Interior Health public health centres, mental health and substance use and primary care clinics, as well as all community agencies who distribute harm reduction supplies also properly dispose of needles,” the statement adds.

In addition, “Interior Health is working with municipalities to install new large, industrial sharps bins in hot-spot areas to increase easy access to safe disposal options.

“The number of personal sharps containers being distributed throughout communities has also been increased substantially.”