By Ian Holmes

Needle boxes installed at Nanaimo rec facilities

Jan 13, 2017 | 1:29 PM

NANAIMO — Safe needle disposal boxes are being installed at all city rec facilities in Nanaimo, along with two parks.

Mark Demecha, the city’s manager of civic facilities, says 25 of the boxes have been put in place since December. He says two more will be installed at the Aquatic Centre and Beban Park Pool shortly.

“We had some questions from some of our clients to have a proper way to dispose of insulin needles,” Demecha said.

He says needle boxes have also been put in place at Maffeo Sutton Park and Deverill Square Park, which he says will see their share of drug needles.

“There have been (needles) in the parks, but we monitor that everyday and pick them up and dispose of them properly,” he said. “It hasn’t been an issue that I know of in the facilities.”

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While used needles in city rec facilities apparently aren’t a problem, Demecha says the city wanted to be proactive and give their clients the option.

Demecha says they’ll get a better idea about usage trends when their contractor removes the first batch of needles at the end of February.

He says more of the needle boxes could be added on city of Nanaimo property in the future.