The City of Windsor is adding new needle disposal containers in targeted locations to help reduce the number of improperly discarded needles.
The move enhances efforts by others to address issues connected to drug use and addictions and to support harm reduction. Over the past year, an advisory group including city staff, neighbourhood group leaders, the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association, the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit, the Windsor Essex Community Health Centre, AIDS Committee of Windsor and others have been actively pursuing measures that address public safety. The group used data and public feedback to determine the best locations for needle disposal bins and selected the following sites.
- Bruce Park
- Wigle Park
- The Glengarry/Marentette Neighbourhood
- Senator Croll Park
- Downtown Transit Terminal
- Ford City Parkette
- Dufferin Place behind Fire Headquarters
The city already has bins at the AIDS Committee of Windsor on Pelissier, Street Health on Pelissier, the Windsor Essex County Health Unit parking lot near Erie Street and Pelissier, and the Windsor Essex County Health Unit parking lot near Erie Street and Dufferin Place. Three more bins will be up in the spring.
“The opioid crisis is a national issue that municipalities are working to address on multiple fronts,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “The installation of sharps disposal bins is a proven harm reduction effort that increases public safety, which is one step in the right direction.”
The bins are bright yellow, freestanding and clearly labelled as "Needle Drop Boxes" and will be emptied regularly by trained professionals.
Information on what to do if you see improperly disposed needles can be found here or by calling 311.
