Bear Clan Patrol found used needles in the West End when the snow began to melt.
Spring is in the city. The snow begins to melt and the inhabitants of the city come out of their houses to spend more time outside. However, many of them can see not a very nice surprise on the ground in the form of used needles.
Melting snow shows that Winnipeg's meth epidemic is still relevant. Bear Clan has already found several needles and the organization thinks that there can be much more under the snow.
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority distributed about 2 million needles last year. As the clinical nurse specialist Shelley Marshall said, about 1-2% of them can be found on the streets.
James Favel, Bear Clan Patrol executive director, informed that last year the organization found forty thousand of needles on the streets of the city. This year, it will probably see two times more. Favel said that most needles are found when spring begins, usually in March and April.
Shelley Marshall explained that now the city tries to do its best to gather as many needles as possible in the shortest terms so that the residents of the city will not see them. This is especially necessary for children’s safety.
Marshall added that there are a lot of drop boxes for used needles. However, not all people use these boxes and prefer to drop needles off on the street. Things that make people do this on the streets, especially near the playgrounds, are still a mystery.
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