PORT HOPE, ON (November 28, 2022) - The Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPR District Health Unit) partnered with Peterborough Aids Resource Network (PARN), John Howard Society, Greenwood Coalition, the Town of Cobourg, the Municipality of Dysart et al, the City of Kawartha Lakes, Community Living Campbellford/Brighton, and the Haliburton County Library System in choosing several new 24-hour Needle Disposal Bin locations.

“When needle disposal bins are located in convenient and accessible locations, there will be fewer needles found in parks and public spaces making it safer for everyone,” said Katlin Archibald, Harm Reduction Outreach Worker with PARN. “This, in turn, reduces the risk of transmission of infections to community members through contact with
needles.”

Needle Disposal Bins are part of the Needle Exchange Program which provide the necessary equipment to help prevent the spread of bloodborne infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C. “We implemented a Needle Exchange Program in 2008 and since then have worked with community partners such as PARN and John Howard Society to ensure safe access to a variety of harm reduction programs within the communities we serve,” said Leslie McLaughlin, Healthy Communities, Public Health Nurse, HKPR District Health Unit.

New 24-hour Needle Disposal Bin locations:

City of Kawartha Lakes

• HKPR District Health Unit Office, 108 Angeline St South, Lindsay (by front entrance)
• 2nd location coming soon!

Haliburton County

• Head Lake Park 78 Maple Avenue, Haliburton (behind the Dysart Library branch)
• Municipal parking lot by the Drag River Trail, 80 Maple Avenue, Haliburton (across from the library in Haliburton Village)

Northumberland County

• Rotary Harbourfront Park washrooms/bus shelter building at 35 Albert Street, Cobourg (south side facing parking lot)
• Community Living Campbellford Brighton, 65 Bridge St East, Campbellford (back door of building facing parking lot)
• HKPR District Health Unit Office, 200 Rose Glen Road North, Port Hope (by back entrance)

Stigma impacts care, treatment, and recovery from substance use disorder. People living with substance use say the stigma they face is often worse than the illness itself. “Public librarians across Canada often seek guidance and training to reduce stigma and the potential for harm in our community spaces, and Haliburton County Public Library is no exception,” says Chris Stephenson, Library CAO. “Our staff recently participated in anti-stigma training around drug use provided by John Howard Society as well as optional training on administering Naloxone, a medication that is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.”

HKPR District Health Unit wants to remind the public what to do if they find a needle:

• Never put a container with needles into the garbage or recycling bin.
• Look up where you can dispose of needles in your community: Find Supplies – Ontario Harm Reduction Distribution Program (ohrdp.ca)
• Call mobile outreach at PARN for information about safe needle clean up or to arrange needle pick-up and disposal – personal bio bins are also available 705-559-3904.

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Media Contacts:
Ashley Beaulac, Manager of Communication Services, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1212, abeaulac@hkpr.on.ca or Amanda Bray, Communications Officer, HKPR District Health Unit, 1-866-888-4577 ext. 1266, abray@hkpr.on.ca