New sharps containers have been popping up in Alliston, a move the town says will help keep parks, trails and community spaces safer. The disposal boxes are being placed in locations where used needles and other drug paraphernalia have turned up in the past. “The Town of New Tecumseth prioritizes public safety for our residents and visitors,” said Victoria Crescenzi, communications specialist with the town. “Needle drop boxes provide a dedicated location for the safe disposal of used sharps in areas where they have historically been found.” Crescenzi said the disposal boxes are set up in areas identified by the town’s parks department as having a “higher concentration” of discarded syringes and sharps. One of those places recognized is Gibson Hills. “Their purpose is to help reduce the presence of discarded sharps in public spaces and support a safer environment for residents, visitors and town staff,” she added. According to the town, the need for the containers was identified several years ago during a health and safety meeting. At the time, there were talks about placing them outside public facilities experiencing higher levels of homelessness and drug-related activity. Mia Brown, program manager with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction Program, said having disposal units readily available can help keep discarded needles out of areas used by the wider community. “Safe disposal units in public spaces offer a practical and accessible means for community members to safely dispose of used needles and other drug use equipment, helping to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries and the presence of discarded equipment in parks,” Brown said. Officials say town vehicles are also loaded with portable sharps containers so staff can safely collect any sharps they come across while working in public areas.
