The city is looking for more ways it can help with the opioid crisis and harm reduction, and that could begin with a pilot program to provide more needle exchange bins and naloxone kits to the public.
At this week's general committee meeting, councillors have given initial approval for funding to support the Simcoe Muskoka Opioid Strategy (SMOS) and address the overdose crisis in Barrie, which has one of the worst drug problems in the province.
This includes several needle exchange bins within city parks and parking lots — in addition to containers already located in park washrooms — at a cost of up to $30,000 from the strategic priorities reserve, and $15,000 to fund nasal-spray naloxone kits as part of a one-year pilot inside city facilities near defibrillators.
Coun. Robert Thomson said the amount of needles he found around existing bins is "horrendous." He questioned whether there would be a daily needle sweep around the new bins.
Dawn McAlpine, the city's general manager of community and corporate services, said that situation doesn't tend to arise around the larger bins, which don't typically need to be emptied more than once a month.
"It depends on the location," she said. "That's one of the things we'd want to deal with in the pilot."
There was also discussion around the naloxone kits and ensuring they're located in compartments separate from those containing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at public facilities to avoid any confusion.
Coun. Clare Riepma said he had some reservations, including the financial impact on something he believes should fall to the Simcoe Musoka District Health Unit, as well as the liability concerns the city will inherit.
"We will tend to own these things," he said. "If the naloxone kits expires and somebody needs it, we're on the hook for it. If somebody uses it on Monday and needs it again on Tuesday and it's not there, we're on the hook for it.
"Those are the kind of things that concern me greatly and I don't think we should expose the city with that kind of risk."
Coun. Gary Harvey noted anyone who uses the overdose-reversing agent would be covered under Good Samaritan laws, which would remove some of the liability.
Riepma said he believes the measures are needed and the city can do more to help out.
"I just have concern about us doing it," he said. "I would much rather have the health unit do it."
Harvey, who is the city's representative on the Simcoe-Muskoka Board of Health, said there has been no discussion at that level around placing naloxone kits in municipal buildings. He also noted the financial constraints within the health organization.
Coun. Jim Harris also said he had concerns about the health unit taking on the responsibility and would rather seen it undertaken by the city.
Coun. Keenan Aylwin said there are bigger concerns if the naloxone kits are not provided.
"The risk that I worry about here is the risk of someone potentially dying in one of our city facilities," Aylwin said. "That's a risk that I'm not prepared to take on as a councillor, so that's why I think we absolutely should be funding this.
"I think we have a duty to protect all of our citizens, no matter who they are when they come to our facilities, including people who use drugs," he said.
Mayor Jeff Lehman agreed that it's something the city should take on.
"Fear of liability should never trump something that's a life-saving measure," the mayor said. "Far too often we let this fear of liability prevent us from doing something and this is far too important."
General committee voted to have the city fund and administer the proposed program.
Committee also gave initial approval to support SMOS's various pillars, including co-ordinating community outreach efforts, using the city communication tools to promote the SMOS website, and sending correspondence to the province encouraging additional treatment and rehabilitation services and resources in Barrie.
The motion still requires ratification at city council on Nov. 4.
