Needle Disposal
Swan River Community Sharps Retrieval Phone Line
This phone line is to help with pickups of improperly disposed needles in the community of Swan River.
- When calling please indicate the location, date and time of where you found the needle and a staff member will be sent to pick it up. If the needle or item you have located needs to be picked up immediately, please consider removing it using the steps below.
- Community sharps clean ups are scheduled Monday – Friday from 9am-11am.
- There will be no needle picks up on stat holidays.
Dispensing harm reduction supplies is an important part of developing connections to care for people who use drugs, while also reducing the risk of transmitting blood-borne infections, such as hepatitis C and HIV. Together, with community stakeholders and provincial health partners, we will continue strengthening efforts to improve community safety while also ensuring compassionate care and access to the region’s health and addiction services.
Where to dispose of needles
Disposal bins are located at the following locations in Swan River:
- Swan Valley Primary Care Centre
- Public Health Office located in the Swan Valley Health Centre
- No Frills
- The Nelson
- Red Road Compass
- CMHA building
- Old Redline dodge property
- Ag grounds grand stand
Steps to safely dispose of a found needle
If the needle or item you have located needs to be picked up immediately, please consider removing it using the following steps:
Find a sturdy hard plastic container such as an (e.g. pop or laundry bottle)
Set container on stable surface
Use gloves if available. You may also use pliers or tongs if you have them.
Do not recap the needle.
Pick up needle by the plunger end, ensuring needle tip is pointing down & away from you.
Point the sharp end of the needle down into the container and secure the lid.
Needles in a secured container can be taken to any PMH facility or Public/Primary Health office, or community sharps disposal box.
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If not available, use alcohol swab or alcohol based product.