AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan sees increase in needle calls

A program in Regina aiming to keep needles off the streets is proving to be successful.

Shiny Varghese, the executive director with AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan (APSS), said more than 20,000 needles were safely disposed of in 2022 through the reportneedles.ca website.

Since the program launched in April 2021, more than 33,000 needles have been safely disposed of.

“With reportneedles.ca, it also provides information on how to deal with discarding needles safely,” Varghese said.

Varghese said that’s so members of the general public are empowered to deal with the issue themselves if they feel comfortable.

She explained some things people should do if they spot a needle on the ground.

“Always wear gloves. It’s not really to prevent punctures or cuts, but more to prevent against fluid contamination. And then use tongs or pliers to pick up the needle and be sure to clean the tool you used,” Varghese said.

She added people should always pick up a needle by the plastic, they shouldn’t try to recap the needle, and they should point the needle away from them.

Varghese also said to never throw a needle in a garbage or recycling bin and, when possible, to throw it in a sharps container.

She said if people don’t have access to a sharps bin, they should put the needle in a puncture-proof container.

According to Varghese, there’s also a program where people can exchange their used needles. According to the APSS website, the program removed more than 650,000 used needles for safe disposal and distributed more than 791,000 new needles in 2021. It had a return rate of 82 per cent.

She also believes it’s beneficial to have more sharps containers available throughout the community.

Varghese said there has been an increase in calls to safely dispose of the needles.

“With this website, we have more people reporting the needles and it’s good for people to report it on the website because it can give more information,” she said.

While the reportneedle program has noticed an increase, Regina Fire and Protective Services has noticed a decrease in the number of calls it has gone to, but the number of needles on site is roughly the same.

Regina Fire Chief Layne Jackson said the needle exchange and the needle disposal program have been helpful.

“They go out to more calls than us. We basically backstop them after hours and after business hours,” he said.

As for how quickly staff from the AIDS Programs South Saskatchewan can get to a report, Varghese said they do their best to get there as fast as possible.

If people need to report a needle, they can go on the APSS website or call the office.