Sudbury has had them for a while now, so has Sault Ste. Marie, and now, people in Timmins may notice something new outside the Porcupine Health Unit. 

A needle disposal box that is accessible at all hours of the day and night.

It is the first outdoor, all-weather 'sharps' bin in the city, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and its purpose is simple:  to keep used needles away from people in Timmins.

Marie France Caron-Bruneau is a public health nurse with the Porcupine Health Unit.

"They're essentially used to dispose of sharps, or needles, that people may be using to inject drugs, to inject medication, whatnot.  So, they they're not disposed of improperly in garbages or in the community." said Caron-Bruneau.

That should mean fewer Facebook posts depicting used needles being found by kids in the city.

The Porcupine Health Unit had the bin installed as part of its needle exchange program.

"We're open Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, so there was never any access after-hours or weekends to be able to return the sharps. Or if clients are homeless and decide they don't want to come in to the health unit, they have an access point to dispose." said Caron-Bruneau.

The Timmins Homeless Coalition says the bin is not only good news for the city, but it's location at the health unit may encourage those in need to seek help.

Jason Sereda is a case manager with Canadian Mental Health Association and a member of the Homeless Coalition of Timmins.

"The next step is connecting them to resources, so that if they want to change their behaviour, if they want to stop using drugs, they can. So, you know, the idea is that they drop off their sharps, maybe they have the motivation in that fleeting second to go inside and talk to about more services." said Sereda.

For the moment, the needle disposal box is the only one of its kind in the city, but a local community outreach centre called Living Space, has placed an order for one as well. The second box is scheduled to be installed by the end of the month.

The Porcupine Health Unit says to safely dispose of discarded needles, you will need tongs and a hard plastic container with a  screw-top lid or a Community Clean-Up Kit from its office.

How to safely dispose of discarded needles:

Step 1:

  • Wear gloves.
  • Do not try to put the cap on the needle.
  • Do not snap, break or bend any part of the needle.

Step 2:

  • Do not use a glass container.
  • Place the container on a stable surface.
  • Using tongs, grab the syringe (avoid the tip).

Step 3:

  • Place the needle into the container, tip first.
  • Seal the container tightly.

Step 4:

  • Return the container to your nearest needle disposal location or your local Porcupine Health Unit office.
  • Never throw needles in the garbage, recycling bin, toilet, drain or sewer.

If you get your needles, lancets or syringes from a pharmacy or healthcare provider, talk to them about the best way to dispose of your sharps.