Needle Exchange Program

This needs to happen.

Keep the children safe. Exchanging old needles to get new ones makes sense.

Arches Claims to do harm reduction, when in fact they are causing potential harm to our children, elderly, regular citizens and pets. Why should us hard working, tax paying citizens have to be afraid of taking our kids to any public place in fear they might step on a needle. It's disgusting. I grew up where in a time when there was consequences for actions. A consequence of doing injectable drugs is the risk of disease and overdose. Why should we be shielding these addicts from the consequences. Arches nurses get paid 2-3 times what a regular nurse makes. So instead of justifying their jobs by handing out thousands of needles, maybe they should think about how to solve the problem, instead of enabling the addicts to continue. If this continues I will be moving away from this dirty city.

This needs to happen. Period.

I moved here only 8 years ago and this city was great but now it’s a joke! The injection site is bringing out the worst people in society! Needles everywhere and break ins have increased! ENOUGH is enough! I pay taxes and I want it shut down!

I'm signing this as a parent that's fed up with addicts safety while doing an illegal activity being a priority over children's safety in this city. This whole thing makes me sick. I've had to already teach my six year old daughter not to touch needles if she sees one at a playground. Hoping no innocent children get hurt as a result of the excessive needles in parks, etc.

This is ridiculous. Addicts have more rights & freedoms than law abiding citizens.

there should be a clean needle program.

I have written several letters to the editor of the Lethbridge Herald with a couple being published. This drug/needle problem is of great concern to me and it seems like all the city is doing is catering to the addicts while ignoring the hardworking, tax-paying, law abiding citizens. Thank you for starting this action

i work right next door to Arches. Since opening their building has turned into a hangout for street people and vagrants. although the clean up does their best, we are c constantly finding needles,paraphernalia condoms and just garbage. And naturally open shooting up, urination and yes even sex. It seems our wonderful city just moved the problem elsewhere(with no consultation.) Build it and they will come!! And they are coming. Solution(s)??? For one enabling is WRONG. Rehab. Clean needles with not accountability??? Last question if we are having such an opiod crisis why is Arches mandate to allow any drug ( cocaine, pot lsd,meth etc) to be consumed on their premises? And crystal meth is consumed twice the amount of all other drugs combined.( Arches statistics.) Random thoughts to ponder. Thank you

It is absurd that Lethbridge doesn't operate a needle exchange program properly! It's simple, needles must be returned for new needles to be handed out.

I can't believe this wasn't a needle exchange program to begin with!

We live directly across from a children's playground and park. On many occasions We have sat in Our home and watched addicts sit by the playground , shoot up and smoke crack. We have called the police and were told that unless they are in medical distress that they would do nothing. Meanwhile there are children walking thru the park and playing in the playground. This is unacceptable and very dangerous. that Our children should have to watch these people tweeking out and behaving very badly. Something must be done to keep these children safe. That they can't access a beautiful family park and playground is sad.

I am a mother of a 3(almost 4) year old boy and this is very scary. I absolutely do NOT think that the safe injection site(s) should be shut down, however, rules NEED to be put in place to keep EVERYONE safe.

Driving over the bridge on Stafford, The addicts were lined up at the homeless shelter wall, being injected by a backpack carrying dealer. The city is dropping the ball.

This is a problem! A big problem! We residents of London Road are having to deal with these past 2 years! 26 years ago , my wife and I were fortunate enough to find our “dream home” in this neighbourhood. I’ve loved this area my entire life and have always dreamed of living here. When when we bought our home, we had no idea about the level of crime and low cost rental homes in our area, this came with all the lovely amenities such as street fights, lurkers, drug dealers , etc. We lived with those and many other little idiosyncrasies but never felt threatened... because... there was always a very visible and prompt Police presence. Lately , however, I see more drug users, transients, and gangs of „the usual suspects „ hanging around Day and night than i do Police. The time for“ tolerance „ and „inclusion“ are done! It is time for action! How many more random attacks and needle debris do „we the taxpayers“ have to put up with before the city dedicates more policing to deal we these CRIMINALS. Something must be done, or, perhaps we need leadership with stronger values and or morals!

Needs to change

This needs to stop. There’s nothing safe about it.

Since the safe usage site opened I now have needles and alot more traffic or that nature in my alley near Fleetwood school right by the hospital. Lots of family's around here not to mention all the families north of the usage site. Unacceptable to let these needles go off site to be left throughout the city.

I'm behind u let's get rid of the needles in parks where little kids play