Our study Strategies for Addressing Needle Debris (SANDS) is part of examining how communities are impacted by community-based, harm reduction services. We want to know how to support clients to access these life-saving services, while addressing community concerns around harm. 

More information will be available here as publications from the project are released. 

One thing we have learned – needle debris is a symptom of a lack of options. Drug paraphernalia ends up discarded in public places because people using drugs have no other options. They may lack safe disposal containers, or fear arrest if they are caught with needles. By addressing these concerns, we can decrease the number of needles that are discarded in public.