News Release - Health Unit Launches Campaign to Encourage Needle Exchange

NORTH BAY, ON – This November, the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit (“Health Unit”) is launching Sharps Buy Back Month. During this initiative, the Health Unit will provide gift cards in exchange used sharps (e.g., needles or syringes) brought to our North Bay location. For approximately 100 sharps, you will receive a $5 grocery gift card. For example, if you fill two small sharps containers (about 50 sharps in each), one large sharps container, or a similar puncture proof container (like a 2L pop bottle), you will get one gift card. 

This initiative aims to encourage people to bring back used sharps to the Health Unit while also raising awareness about how to safely pick up sharps. If you find sharps in the community, and are able to pick them up safely, please follow these instructions:

• Do not walk while holding the sharp object
• Bring a puncture-proof, hard-sided, leak-proof container with a lid, such as a pickle jar or bleach container, to the area where the sharp is
• Do not recap, bend, break the needle or manipulate it by hand in any way
• Place the object in the container. Use tongs if available. If tongs are not available pick up the needle/sharp from the blunt end and secure the lid
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water
• Label the container “hazardous waste” and bring to the Health Unit for proper disposal

“Sharps Buy Back Month is an initiative launched by the Health Unit to collect used sharps while teaching individuals how to pick up sharps safely,” says Auburn Larose, community health promoter. “We hope this also encourages people who have not yet visited our new location to come to 345 Oak Street West and check out what the Health Unit has to offer.”

Though the incentive campaign is only running through November, the Health Unit provides needle exchange services year round.  The needle exchange program is part of the Health Unit’s harm reduction programming, which recognizes that a certain percentage of the population will use drugs, however the goal is to reduce the harm that might result from dug use. Those who choose to use drugs with needles are at risk of transmitting HIV, Hepatitis and other blood borne infections. Needle exchange services are proven to reduce the spread of infection without increasing intravenous drug use.

In addition to a needle exchange program, the Health Unit also offers naloxone, safe inhalation kits, safe crystal meth kits, and a variety of other health services like free dental care for eligible adults and children, free or low-cost birth control options, and Hepatitis C, HIV, and STI testing.

For more information on the Sharps Buy Back campaign, visit www.myhealthunit.ca/sharpsor call 1-800-563-2808.

Media Inquiries

Health Unit Communications Department
P: 705-474-1400, ext.5221 or 1-800-563-2808
E: communications@healthunit.ca