Needle returns up 26% in Waterloo region last year: Report

The number of needles that were returned to the region through the needle syringe program went up dramatically last year, regional staff say.

In a report to the region's community services committee, which meets Tuesday, staff note 46.1 per cent of needles distributed through the program were returned in 2017.

In 2018, that number jumped to 72.1 per cent.

The number of needles handed out dropped by 11,000 in the same period, but the rate of return "represents the highest percentage" over the last five years of the program, the report said.

"It's a big jump," said Grace Bermingham, manager of harm reduction for Region of Waterloo Public Health. "For the last few years we've been working very hard on putting in place a comprehensive strategy for disposals. So we're quite pleased with some of the numbers we're seeing right now."

She also noted that there are other options for needle and sharps disposals, including in malls, municipal buildings and private businesses. The report says the number is an "underestimate" of the actual number of needles that were disposed of properly.

Needles dropped into kiosks

One of the reasons for the increase may be an increase in disposal options, including installing outdoor, tamper-proof disposal kiosks in Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.

"Needles collected through the kiosks represent a significant portion of all returned needles," the report said.

The success of those kiosks meant nine additional units have been purchased and the region is considering appropriate locations for them.

"Most clients not only return their used supplies, but are also concerned about improper disposal in the community," the report said.

Bermingham said they also considered the community and people who would be using the kiosks when they placed them.

"We want to be really clear that where there are kiosks, it's about creating a community where proper sharps disposal is approved of and seen as important rather than saying, 'Well, we're putting it here because there's a need or it's in a certain hot spot,'" she said.

12,000 naloxone kits handed out

There were 19,292 total client interactions across the needle syringe program sites and 84 per cent were return clients, the report said. The majority of those accessing the program are male, at 65 per cent, while the average age of all clients was 38 years old.

Also in 2018, more than 12,000 naloxone kits were distributed throughout the region. That includes 5,300 by pharmacies, 4,890 from partner agencies like Sanguen Health Centre, Ontario Association and Treatment Centres and the Towards Recovery Clinic. Public health distributed 1,890 kits.

The region's committee will discuss this report the same week Cambridge is holding a special council meeting about a potential location for a supervised consumption site.

Interim city manager Jeff Willmer will present a report to city council Wednesday night that recommends more community consultation.

Cambridge has an interim control bylaw in place until March 26, 2020 that prevents a supervised consumption site from being set up in the core areas of Hespeler, Preston and Galt.

The city will set up a community wellbeing advisory committee, which will bring a "work plan and proposed timelines" for a supervised consumption site to council.