By Kate Bouey

IH Delivers Sharps Bins For Vernon Hotspots

Jul 13, 2018 | 4:47 PM

Public fears of drug addicts’ discarded needles in the community has prompted a response from Interior Health.

In a statement released Friday, the health body says roughly 99 per cent of needles distributed in communities last year were properly disposed of by IH.

IH is working with municipalities to install new, large industrial sharps bins in hotspots to increase easy access to the safe disposal of needles.

Vernon has received two large, industrial sharps bins to place in discarded needle hotspots in the city.

Community Safety Office coordinator Rachael Zubick says where to put those bins has not yet been decided.

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“At the moment we’re trying to refine the area where they’re going to go,” said Zubick in an interview with Beach Radio News. “We want to make sure they are the best locations.”

Zubick could not say if one of the bins would be put in Polson Park.

Zubick confirmed there had been some talk by one local committee of a possible needle buyback program but she refused to comment further.

Interior Health has rejected the idea of a province-wide needle buyback program, concerned over theft of needles and more poke injuries.

by Kate Bouey