LETTER – Best answer to discarded needles is on-site consumption

I recently read your post on CFJC about the needle crisis and the importance of not putting the safety of the users above that of the rest of the population. I wholeheartedly agree and I am hopeful more people will be taking note.

I have been pushing the mayor, council, MLAs, the minister of health, etc. to implement some real change that is better for all. My two-year-old son was almost stabbed by a needle while throwing stones in the river. It was buried in the rocks. That needle was only clean for the first person using it.

I’m sure you’re aware too of the number of children already stabbed by used needles. Why is Interior Health only concerned about the users not being exposed to dirty needles? In reference to the sharps bins, there was one along the rivers trail by my home and they had to take it down because it was always being broken open with the needles being stolen out. They don’t want that making it into the news though.

I think the best quick solution is to have mandatory on-site consumption. If they want needles from any of these places they need to use on site with a trained nurse to dispose of this biohazard and public health risk.

I wonder how many of these needles that inevitably end up in the river will end up in the bodies of marine animals.

This is getting out of hand to say the least.

Thanks for your time. I hope people who have a voice will continue to use it for the betterment of our community.

MISTY