Ottawa Health collects 700,000 needles in 2009

Ottawa Public Health announced Friday that it collected 700,000 used needles in 2009, 200,000 more than 2008.

In the past four years, two million needles have been properly disposed of by the city through collections at hospitals, pharmacies, fire stations and shelters.

The city's Needle Hunters program provides drop boxes all over the city and deploys roving teams to seek out discarded needles or respond to calls from concerned residents.

"Whatever we get out there, whether it be through the needle hunter program, whether it is through our black box [needle disposal unit program], or whether it's through outreach, our main goal is to dispose of the needles in a safe and proper manner," said Jean-Guy Albert, a spokesman for Ottawa Health.

Residents in downtown neighbourhoods have noticed a difference.

"Now if I see anything, I see the odd beer bottle. Which is fine," said Andrew Gibbs, who lives on Daly Avenue.

The city's goal is to respond to any call to pick up a needle within one hour.