THUNDER BAY – The bank was cleaned out today in the downtown South Core in Thunder Bay. But don’t worry this is not a bank robbery. A little effort, a little time and the area known as ‘The Bank’ is back in business in the downtown South Core. With an investment of about half an hour of time, the old CIBC bank property has been returned to clean.
Councillor at Large Aldo Ruberto, Urban Greenscapes Dan Fulton, and James Murray from NNL took on the task today and cleared up the area.
Cleaning out the Bank!
The theory of cleaning up the small messes is following on the Broken Window theory from New York. Get the area clean, and then invest a little time to keep it clean and it tends to stay cleaner.
One of the issues in the area are large numbers of discarded needles.
In the downtown south core, there is a lot of action ongoing with planning for more activity and engagement. Local May and Victoria Businesses are banding together toward doing activities to increase the walking traffic in the area.
The issue of a needle exchange is one that ensures greater safety from disease. However there are a large number of needles discarded around the downtown core. They can present a safety hazard.
One solution is reducing the number of needles handed out in a kit to the people who are using them, and are addicted to drugs.
A simplistic solution would be cancelling the program. That however would simply mean addicts would likely end up sharing needles, and ending up with Hepatitis C or AIDS. That simple solution would actually cost taxpayers far more.
A better solution would be found in reducing the number of needles in the brown paper bag that are handed out. That way there would be less need for people to toss aside needles they don’t need immediately. That appears to be the case in some instances, and could be solved fairly easily with that solution. It would also save a great deal of money.
What do you do if you find a needle?
Superior Points, which is under the Thunder Bay District Health Unit states:
Follow these steps to safely deal with a found needle or any other used, sharp object:
- Do not try to put the cap back on the needle. Do not snap, break or bend any part of the needle.
- Pick the needle up carefully. Use tongs, needle-nosed pliers or a gloved hand.
- Put the needle in a hard PLASTIC container (peanut butter jar, pop bottle or, water bottle).
- Seal it tightly and label it ‘Needle’. Do not use a glass container as it could break.
- Call Superior Points at 625-8831 or 625-7996 to pick up the needle(s)
- You can also drop off the container at any yellow needle collection box. Call Superior Points to find one near you.
You can also call Superior Points if you are concerned about found needles. If you leave a message, please give as many details as possible and include a contact phone number for follow-up.
Related articles
