Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jul 2003
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Danna Johnson

DROP BOX PUT IN PARK

Kamloops was the first city in the province to get a needle drop box, and 
now it has two.

The first drop box was installed about one month ago on the wall outside 
the Street Clinic on Lansdowne Street.

Because of its success, another has been quietly installed at the west end 
of Riverside Park outside the men's washroom.

About a week ago the city's parks department installed the $250 metal 
canister, says parks operation supervisor Ernie Kidd. Riverside Park, he 
adds, is one of the worst spots in the city for finding used needles, 
especially in the shrubs and flower beds.

"We're going to use it as a pilot project," says parks manager Dave Hilton.

The other major problem area is on the North Shore, in the Mackenzie Avenue 
and Yew Street area.

Parks worker Linda Woodbury, whose job it was Monday afternoon to check the 
box and dispose of the contents, says the needle drop off boxes will work 
well for people who find used needles and don't know what to do with them.

However, Kidd says he's hoping those using the needles will dispose of them 
properly so others don't have to worry about it.

"It's more for the user. We're hoping they'll put them in the box rather 
than put them in all of the flower beds and shrubs."

Meanwhile, Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association manager 
Patrick Lindsay says his association may decide to add another drop box in 
the downtown.

While it hasn't been formally discussed with members, Lindsay says, another 
drop box may be located in the 400 block of Nicola, near St. Paul's Cathedral.

"We don't want them all over the place, but we want to put them where 
they're going to be used."
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens