Syringe Squad picking up needles in downtown Sudbury
The Reseau Access Network started cleaning up needles in the downtown core just over a month ago.
The Reseau Access Network started cleaning up needles in Greater Sudbury's downtown core in July 2024 under a contract with the city which is set to run for six months. (Alana Everson/CTV News Northern Ontario)
The Sudbury Action Centre for Youth had the contract but it closed last winter due to insolvency. The new service provider said there is a peer element to the ‘Syringe Squad’ that helps to connect the community.
Reseau Access workers with the syringe recovery program circulate the downtown area sometimes walking up to 22 kilometres a day. They clean up harm reduction supplies left by people who use substances.
“The community workers who go out and collect the discarded syringes in community do encourage folks to use the bins that are available,” said Angel Riess, the network’s manager of operations and communications.
“(They) also distribute naloxone and supplies as they circle around.”
Juan Loranger is the coordinator of the program and said workers also check used needle disposal bins and call the city when they are full.
“If the community doesn’t have new materials they can reuse the same syringe and therefore increase the chance of spreading disease,” he said.
“That’s what we are trying to eliminate.”
Officials said the program provides workers with safety training.
With the exception of the coordinator, Loranger, the people cleaning up the syringes have lived experience with substance use, past or present.
“Enables us as service providers to know what the needs are and so by engaging peers and community workers within the different programs we are really helping them be part of the solution,” said Riess.
Officials told CTV News that the contract for the syringe recovery program is for the next six months.
The number picked up monthly will be reported to the city, but stats for the month of July are not yet available to be released publicly. People who require assistance with syringe disposal can reach out to 311 or call 705-690-1939.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
3 injured after man with knife enters Montreal-area mosque
Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.
Police arrest 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole Porsche and ran over its owner
Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in an incident that was captured on video.
Woman nearly shut out of mother's estate sues brother in B.C. Supreme Court – and wins
Since she was a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Ginny Lam says her mom Yat Hei Law made it very clear she favoured her son William, because he was her male heir.
Teen arrested in New Brunswick after emergency alert; 5 people in custody
A 15-year-old boy who was the subject of an emergency alert in New Brunswick has been arrested.
Kamala Harris tells Oprah any intruder to her home is 'getting shot'
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday issued a warning to any potential home intruder: 'If somebody breaks in my house, they're getting shot.'
'We're still pushing hard': Search for missing Manitoba boy continues, RCMP find tracks
The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.
On the trail of the mystery woman whose company licensed exploding pagers
What Cristiana Barsony-Arcidiacono, 49, the Italian-Hungarian CEO and owner of Hungary-based BAC Consulting, says she hasn't done is make the exploding pagers that killed 12 people and wounded more than 2,000 in Lebanon this week.
Woman shot by B.C. police was Colombian refugee with young daughter, advocate says
Advocates have identified the woman who died this week after being shot by police in Surrey, B.C., as a South American refugee who was raising a young daughter.
Video released of person of interest after cat is allegedly set on fire in Orillia, Ont.
Provincial police investigating the death of a cat that was allegedly set on fire in Orillia earlier this week released surveillance video of a person of interest in the case.