Needle Disposal in Ontario PL Bathroom Raises Concerns

-- Library Journal, 01/18/2006

Like some other Canadian cities, London, ON, has a problem with intravenous drug users, and like some other civic buildings, the London PL has installed yellow plastic bins, topped by red covers, for needle disposal in bathrooms. "Unsafe needle disposal has been an issue since we relocated our Central Library just over three years ago onto the main street in the core of the city," library spokeswoman Lynda Kirkham told LJ. "Issues have been people flushing used needles down toilets (and therefore blocking them) and occasionally throwing them into the garbage. One or the other of these scenarios was pretty well a daily occurrence. This put staff at risk not only in unblocking toilets but also in emptying garbage containers, and exposed the public to risk as well."

Before the installation in December, 2005, the library gained support from a range of health, business, and public safety agencies, as well as the library employees' union, but the library has faced criticism from London Free Press columnist Ian Gillespie, who wrote, "Putting needle disposal bins in library washrooms is a pathetically passive solution to the problem. I suggest the solution is to identify and then oust the drug users—for good." Gillespie, who said he saw an "obviously impaired man" enter the library without any intervention, suggested that the library hire security staff to check the bathrooms after use to identify those disposing of syringes. However, said Kirkham, "The suggestion of posting security staff outside washrooms is not financially feasible."