The recent discussion regarding discarded needles lacked an alternative solution.
Here is one that might be considered:
What comes to mind - with some safety precautions - is something like a bottle return depot.
A small facility in which anyone can take in needles for, say, five cents each. This type of exchange could be portable and set up daily in alleyways and such, out of sight. Education in safe handling would be necessary and "sharps" plastic containers available at this facility for those wishing to gather needles, and perhaps grabbers, the type used by disabled for out of reach items available for a small deposit, returned when the grabber is returned.
This type of system would be easy to establish and inexpensive to run. It would also allow for monitoring of use and the present needle delivery system incorporated as well.
Places where needles are presently distributed could serve as gathering places for discarded needles. With scales and such, physical counting would be eliminated just like banks count money. A pilot project would be inexpensive.
Just a thought.
Willow Arune
Prince George
