The City of Duncan sent a letter to Island Health last month to share their concern surrounding lack of communication with the public on the location of a proposed overdose prevention site.
Mayor Phil Kent says they also shared with Island Health the need to deal with needles being discarded improperly throughout the region. He says Island Health has responded positively, and the city does support the idea of an overdose prevention site.
In the letter to Island Health, Kent says there are approximately 10 thousand needles being distributed each month in our area alone. Since then, Island Health has announced a new program in the Cowichan Valley to increase efforts around safe needle disposal.
Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Hasselback says an increased number of improperly discarded needles is just one of the consequences of the opioid crisis across the province. A new needle sweep service is being introduced through the Canadian Mental Health Association and Island Health.
The hours and areas where the sweeps will occur will be determined in partnership with CMHA and community stakeholders.
Island Health also provided North Cowichan and Duncan with eight more needle drop boxes, which have been installed.
