Saint John Mayor Don Darling. (Image: Brad Perry)
The mayor of Saint John says everyone needs to be at the table for a solution regarding sharps containers and how to dispose of used needles.
Mayor Don Darling says he’s had many conversations with different groups regarding what he calls a complex topic since he became mayor.
“Clearly there’s a bit of a gap here from a Public Health perspective so obviously it involves the province, Public Health and Horizon and how do we do a better job of communicating to the public where are the containers today,” he said.
Darling said he had to ask where the containers were himself.
“The main and first step for me is finding out through Avenue B, Public Health and others how do we do a better job of communicating to the community where Sharps containers are and then if there are gaps, if we need more, then we’ll certainly follow up,” he said.
Darling said he hopes the woman who spoke about the lack of sharps containers continues to speak up, so momentum continues.
Regarding the stigma of sharps containers because of their association for street drug use, Darling said everyone needs to show up to the table to provide resources such as ideas, solutions, people and money for funding.
“This is a conversation that needs more attention, needs to continue, and I know Avenue B is playing a key role because I’ve had many conversations with them,” he said.
