Sharps Disposal Kiosk Proposal Public Comment from Shawna HimslAimee Brunckhorst
From: Shawna Himsl <shimsl@flathead.mt.gov>
Sent: Monday, October 19, 2020 1:53 PM
To: Kalispell Meetings Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Sharps Disposal Kiosk Proposal
Attachments: Sharps Container Proposal.pdf
Dearest Council Chair and Council Members,
My name is Shawna Himsl, and I am the HIV Prevention Specialist at the Flathead City -County Health Department. Part
of my duties includes the operation and administration of the Flathead Syringe Exchange. As I am sure most of you are
aware, last week, several hundred syringes were found dumped in Lawrence Park in Kalispell. Since then, several folks
have asked if the Flathead Syringe Exchange could help address needle waste in public spaces in Kalispell. The answer to
this is a resounding, YES! When I first started the Flathead Syringe Exchange in April 2019, one of my first actions was to
reach out to Fred Bicha at Kalispell Parks and Recreation to see if I could place a sharps disposal kiosk in Woodland Park.
The answer I received at that time was that Parks and Rec did not feel that needle waste was a problem in the parks and
that they did not want to encourage drug use. While I could see where this response was coming from, unfortunately, it
is/was not accurate. For some time, Woodland and Lawrence Park have been utilized by folks to use and traffic drugs,
and several participants in the syringe exchange program have reported finding syringes improperly disposed of in those
locations. At any rate, with this recent event, I reconnected with Chad Fincher at Parks and Rec and asked him once
again about installing syringe disposal kiosks in Lawrence and Woodland Park. After speaking with him, it is clear that
Parks and Rec is still hesitant. This past Friday, I sent a formal proposal to Mr. Bicha and Mr. Fincher that included why I
felt that kiosks might be a good idea and included some specs on inconspicuous kiosks that we would install. I have yet
to hear back from them, but I wanted to share that proposal with you. I have explained to Mr. Bicha and Mr. Fincher
that I am only trying to help and offer up a solution that would be of no cost or maintenance to them. My reason for
writing you fine folks is to inform you that the Flathead Syringe Exchange is offering a solution to this issue, and we hope
that you will endeavor to take us up on it!
I am always available to answer any questions you may have!
https://trash-cans.com/products/copy-of-outdoor-sharps-disposal-kiosk-square-38-gallons-ce138-ch-s
https://need lebi ns.com/prod ucts/outdoor-sharps-col lection-kiosk-model-ncu5400
Kindest regards,
Shawna Himsl, MPA
Health Promotion and HIV Prevention Specialist
Flathead Family Planning
Flathead City -County Health Department
Phone: 406-751-8256
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Request to Install Outdoor Sharps Containers in Lawrence and
Woodland Park
Background
On October 12t"1 2020, a Facebook post by a local home owner residing next to Lawrence Park revealed that a
large cache of used syringes had been dumped on park grounds. This post was shared several hundred times,
drawing attention to the lack of safe syringe disposal not only in public spaces, but Flathead County entirely.
Currently, the Flathead Syringe Exchange receives and properly disposes of a large portion of Flathead County's
intravenous drug waste. However, it is reported to us by members of the public as well as intravenous drug
users themselves, that needle waste is a pervasive issue in Flathead County and particularly Kalispell.
Proposed Solution
In effort to curb used syringe litter in public spaces, the Flathead Syringe Exchange is proposing to install and
maintain two outdoor syringe disposal kiosks in Woodland and Lawrence Park. Both Missoula and Billings have
sharps disposal kiosks installed in public spaces, and both cities have cited decreased syringe litter in their
surrounding areas. The Flathead Syringe Exchange has over 110 participants, and the overwhelming majority of
them have cited that the primary reason that they have improperly disposed of syringes was the lack of access
to dispose of them properly. The Flathead Syringe Exchange is seeking to end improper syringe disposal by
installing these kiosks.
The Specifics
The Flathead Syringe Exchange Program will purchase the approved syringe disposal kiosks and pay for their
installation at the approved locations. The Flathead Syringe Exchange will also pay for maintenance and repair of
both syringe disposal kiosks. The Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department will have no responsibility to
dispose of sharps or perform maintenance on either kiosk. Furthermore, the Kalispell Parks and Recreation
department will be given a direct contact to report any issues with either kiosks.
What We Need From Stakeholders
Despite best efforts from the Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department and local law enforcement, intravenous
drug use is still occurring frequently at Lawrence and Woodland Park. It is unlikely that this issue will cease, and
that is why the Flathead Syringe Exchange is repeating our offer to fund, place, and maintain two modest sharps
disposal kiosks in two areas frequently used for intravenous drug use. The Flathead Syringe Exchange is asking
for collaboration from the Kalispell Parks and Recreation Department to allow placement of these inconspicuous
kiosks in an effort to keep parks clean and safe for our community.
Providing quality public health services to ensure the conditions for a healthy community. 10
Public Health
Fravtnt, PrOMWC. ProtCM