The Health Unit says an additional community sharps bin has been installed in North Bay.
The new bin is located at the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area (ACNBA) office at 147 McIntyre St. W.
The bin is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"It is important that only loose sharps (e.g., needles) or sharps in a puncture-proof container be put into the bin. Garbage and other substance use equipment are to be disposed of in the garbage can located near the sharps bin," says a news release.
"When used sharps are discarded improperly, such as in recycling, garbage or even in a public place, it is often the result of not having a place to properly dispose of them. Providing a place for people to safely discard sharps helps keep the community safer for everyone."
“ACNBA is thrilled to have a new community sharps disposal bin installed outside of our agency," says spokesperson said Caitlin Dobratz. "This bin will help increase awareness of how to discard used syringes safely in the community, while providing additional opportunities for harm reduction education and support. This bin further works to reduce the stigma that is often associated with substance use and will help reduce the risk of needle stick injuries."
