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Clatsop County officials clarify sharps-disposal options, harm-reduction services and youth-prevention plans
Summary
Advisory members said Recology accepts household sharps at specified locations for a fee, the county's harm-reduction program distributes fentanyl test strips and volunteer nurses may support services. Public-health staff described a youth-prevention needs assessment and an upcoming health-equity plan submission.
Clatsop County — Advisory members and public-health staff at the Clatsop County meeting summarized options for disposing of household sharps and described harm-reduction and youth-prevention activities.
Council members said Recology accepts sharps containers at its Warrenton office and at the Astoria transfer station for a fee, and the county's needle-exchange and harm-reduction services accept sharps at designated exchanges. Monica (advisory member) provided posted price ranges: "If you go to the Warrenton office... it would be $23.20 to $51.90 to turn that in. If you take it to the transfer station... that's $22.30 to $50.47," she said, noting the cost depends on container size (4.7-quart, 10-quart, 23-quart containers were the examples given).
Public-health staff said the county's harm-reduction program distributes fentanyl test strips and is coordinating with peer organizations. "We do still give that out," Lisa, a county public-health staff member, said regarding test strips, adding the program is working with community partners and potential volunteer registered nurses to expand harm-reduction services.
The advisory group noted multiple community disposal options exist but also identified gaps: pharmacies and hospitals in the county generally do not accept household sharps and, for a period, the household-hazardous-waste contractor could accept them but the contractor changed and that service stopped. The county will share the Recology pricing and logistics with the advisory council and work with communications staff to make disposal information more accessible online.
On prevention and planning, public-health staff reported completion of focus groups for a youth-substance-use needs assessment; a staff-led survey remains open and a report is expected in October. Public-health also said a near-final health-equity plan was presented to the county commissioners and will be submitted to the Oregon Health Authority on schedule.
Speakers urged the county to make disposal and harm-reduction information easy to find on the county website. Commissioner Thompson asked staff to coordinate posting the guidance and related pamphlets so residents can quickly locate lifesaving information.
Sources: Advisory meeting discussion and public-health report to the Clatsop County Behavioral Health advisory council; comments by Monica, Lisa, and commissioner and advisory members.
