The health office campaign encourages the exchange of syringes

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit launched the Sharps Redemption Month to encourage needle exchanges.

The health unit provides a $ 5 gift card for every 100 sharps used (needles or syringes, for example) brought to its location in North Bay. One hundred sharps equals approximately two small sharps containers (about 50 sharp objects in each), a large sharps container, or a similar puncture-resistant container.

"The Sharps Redemption Month is an initiative launched by the Health Service to collect used sharps while educating customers about our needle exchange services and how to take them safely". says Auburn Larose, community health promoter. "We hope this will also encourage those who have not yet visited our new workplace to visit 345 Oak St. W. and discover what the health service has to offer."

Although the incentive campaign only continues in November, the health office provides needle exchange services all year round.

The needle exchange program is part of the health unit's harm reduction program, which recognizes that a certain percentage of the population will be using drugs. However, the goal is to reduce the harm that can result from drug use.

Those who use drugs may transmit HIV, hepatitis and other blood-borne infections. It has been proven that needle exchange services reduce the spread of infection without increasing intravenous drug use.

In addition to a needle exchange program, the health unit also offers naloxone, safer inhalation kits, safe methamphetamine kits and various other health services, such as free dental care for eligible adults and children, free or inexpensive birth control options. and screening for hepatitis C, HIV and STIs.

What to do

If a sharp object is found in the community, follow these instructions to recover it safely:

• Do not walk while holding sharp object

• Bring a puncture-resistant, hard-walled and leak-proof container with a lid, such as a jar of pickles or a bleach container, in the area where it was found.

• Do not re-fold, bend, break the needle and do not handle it by hand

• Place the object in the container. Use pliers if available. If the forceps are not available, pick up the needle / needle at the blunt end and attach the lid.

• wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water

• Label the "hazardous waste" container and take it to the health department for proper disposal.

For more information on the Sharps Redemption Campaign, visit www.myhealthunit.ca/sharps or call 1-800-563-2808.