Since the initiation of the Calgary Alpha House
Society (Alpha House) Needle Response Team, Alpha House and The City of Calgary
have collaborated through a targeted, ongoing response to needle debris, that
includes proactive patrols and the redistribution of City-managed needle boxes.
Sharing data on collection volume and common needle
debris locations has enabled Alpha House’s Needle Response Team to patrol
proactive locations while continuing to respond to calls for disposal of needle
debris on public and private property. Through ongoing efforts to collect data,
Alpha House will continue to proactively monitor areas to adapt field patrols.
Alpha House has also initiated an incentive where peer support workers take
part in the Needle Response Team on proactive patrols.
“Approximately 60 per cent of all needles collected are done
so through patrols and our peer support program,” said Adam
Melnyk, Outreach Manager, Alpha House. “In the first six months of operation,
the needle response team collected a volume of 6,570 needles, playing a vital role in our community, while building community. Through our
peer support, individuals with lived experience are able to give back by
working with our team.”
From March to May 2019, the Calgary Fire Department
conducted a needle debris response overview with Alpha House and other
community partners, to identify the volume of needle debris collected across
the city and the locations in which the debris was concentrated. In this time
period, 4,567 needles were picked up across the city, with the majority of the
proactive and reactive responses occurring centrally. The Calgary Fire
Department is currently installing redistributed needle debris boxes to areas
of focus based on the data analysis.
“Through collaboration, we recognized the need for
added needle debris boxes, identified priority locations, and are working on
the immediate installation in these areas,” said Carol Henke, Public
Information Officer, Calgary Fire Department. “Fire crews are monitoring needle
boxes regularly and this will allow us to continue to enhance our response
efficiencies.”
There are currently 22 needle debris boxes that are
managed by the Calgary Fire Department in different locations across the city.
Up to 5 needle boxes are currently being re-located or added based on the data
analysis.
Alpha House is an important partner with The City of
Calgary in responding to needle debris. Since the January 2019 inception of
Alpha House’s Needle Response Team, the Calgary Fire Department has responded
to 906 calls for needle debris, totaling 226 per cent less than received in
2018.
“Alpha House, a community organization, leading the
local needle response, is proving crucial in alleviating first responders to
tend to other emergency calls across Calgary,” said Henke.
“The response from the community is very positive, as
this is a
cost-effective approach to public safety concerns and the work extends to
cooperation with other agencies as we focus on educating businesses and
individuals about safely picking up needles, while engaging with these
communities,” said Melnyk.
A more effective coordinated response with partners
has resulted in the collection of 22,469needles between January 2019 to
August 31, 2019 in Calgary.
Alpha House’s Needle
Response Team can be reached at 403-796-5334 (via call or text) or email at [email protected]
from Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
During
the Needle Response Team’s after hours of operation, The Calgary Fire
Department continues to respond to needle debris on public property or near
school yards and playgrounds or needles that pose safety risk on private
property. The Calgary Fire Department can be contacted by calling 9-1-1 or the
non-emergency line at 403-264-1022.
For more information on The City of Calgary’s
Community Action on Mental Health and Addiction, visit Calgary.ca/communityaction.