“While buyback programs appear to be helpful on the surface, evaluations of the program have revealed that it is complex to administer as intended and requires significant time and resources to operate.”
Despite recent calls from city politicians for a return to a used sharps buy-back model, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit does not believe such a program is the only solution.
According to Medical Officer of Health Dr. Carol Zimbaratti, “The Department of Health has not recently consulted internally or with local partners about reinstating the sharps buyback program. While a buyback program may seem helpful on the surface, the evaluation highlighted that administering the program as intended is complex and requires significant time and resources to operate even for a short period of time.”
At a recent Community Safety and Wellbeing Select Committee meeting, North Bay city councillor Tanya Vrebosch again sought answers about the feasibility and use of community sharps disposal bins, which have been funded with up to $10,000 annually since 2021. The public sharps disposal bins are located outside the Nipissing Community Counselling Centre, at 361 McIntyre St. E. Funds will be used to empty the bins and safely dispose of the contents.
Community Safety and Wellbeing Program Facilitator Brent Kalinowski said he would like to see more audits conducted, but acknowledged that research to that point showed the boxes were “not being used much.”
“We've tried it,” Vrebosch said, “and if it's not spent, I would reallocate that $10,000 to something in the Community Safety and Wellness Program. I'm a fan of needle buyback programs.”
Health professionals, meanwhile, have a different view than elected officials: “Providing sharps bins in communities is an important part of a comprehensive harm reduction strategy, and ongoing monitoring of their use will help determine the best locations and how to improve the service,” Dr. Zimbaratti added.
Related article: 'Afraid to swim': Needles pose danger at North Bay beaches
Kalinowski was directed in March to further investigate bin usage, and after months of audits he found that 30 to 50 sharp needles were being disposed of in community bins each month. “It raises the question: are these bins in the right place,” he asked. “Could we put these bins in a different location that's more accessible and convenient for people who need the service?”
“I'm glad the surveillance is happening,” Vrebosch said. “It's very expensive and I think there are better ways to spend $10,000 to do a sharps sweep in the community.”
See also: City council members push to reinstate needle buyback program
In addition to Vrebosch, several members of the Community Safety and Wellbeing Select Committee, including Councillor Lana Mitchell and Community Services Director Ian Kilgour, also supported considering returning to some form of buyback programme.
background
The health department discontinued its needle buyback program during the previous legislative term. The discontinued program offered one $5 grocery gift card for every 100 used sharps, needles or syringes.
In 2020, the Health Department was preparing community sharps bins to be installed within the district and wanted to place them on city-owned property. A compromise was reached and the bins were placed on McIntyre Street East. The Health Department also requested financial assistance to periodically dispose of the contents of the sharps bins. The $10,000 previously budgeted for the buyback program was applied to costs associated with maintaining the bins.
See also: Community sharps containers get lukewarm reviews but unanimous support
“When used sharps are improperly disposed of in recycling, trash or public areas, it is often because there is no place to properly dispose of them,” a January 2021 news release from Nipissing's Community Counseling Centre announcing the installation of the bins stated. “By providing a place where people can safely dispose of sharps, we help keep our community a safer place for everyone.”
And the city: Disposal of dirty needles is the owner's responsibility
According to the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit's website, community sharps containers have also been placed at the health unit's Oak Street West office, and there are containers available to the public outside the North Bay and District AIDS Commission office at 147 McIntyre St. W.
