Duncan and North Cowichan have agreed to fund a local service that helps clean up needles after funding from a provincial grant ran out.
The Peer Sharps Collection team — which is a group that helps clean up needles and other debris in the municipalities — has been operating for a year-and-a-half through the $49,000 the City of Duncan received through the provincial government.
Between Oct. 26, 2020, and March 31, 2022, the team received 318 phone calls and collected 16,848 sharps and 23,496 kgs of garbage and debris.
Due to this, Duncan and North Cowichan have decided to allocate up to $15,000 each to continue the program.
“Having a phone number for businesses and residents to call when they encounter sharps adds another piece of support as we all work to address the complexities and impacts associated with the opioid crisis,” said Michelle Staples, mayor of Duncan in a news release.
The team will be operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association – Cowichan Valley Branch, and the base funding is provided by Island Health.
The program runs seven days a week and the collection routes cover the core area of the region from Beverly Street to Boys Road and Government Street to Lakes Road and municipal parks.
“This is an important service for area businesses and residents, and I’m pleased that Council agreed to work with the City of Duncan to see it continue. It’s another piece of the overall structure we need to address these issues,” said Al Siebring, mayor of North Cowichan.
The Mobile Peer Clean-up Crew responds to requests from residents and businesses. The phone number is 250-732-7736.
Laura Brougham
