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Q&A
Council Member Lee questions DOHMH on syringe disposal kiosks in parks
1:01:19
ยท
3 min
Council Member Linda Lee questions Rebecca Linn-Walton from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about syringe disposal kiosks in New York City parks. The discussion covers the current number of kiosks, their effectiveness, costs, and plans for expansion.
- DOHMH reports an increase from 16 to 21 kiosks in the Bronx, with 40 across the city
- The cost of an outdoor kiosk is $2,000, while a restroom drop box costs $300
- Additional strategies like outreach teams and a syringe redemption program are being implemented to complement the kiosk program
Linda Lee
1:01:19
follow-up with a few questions and then hand it over for second round.
1:01:23
In 2019, following an internal audit that revealed New York City Park Staff, and this is something that council member Marmara was referring to with the kiosks, An internal audit that revealed New York City Parks Staff were picking up close to 5,000 syringes a week over the course of one summer in the South Bronx, so this is back in 2019.
1:01:44
DOHMH and New York City parks partnered to provide among other services syringe disposal kiosks at 16 sites that represented more than 99% of syringes discarded in Bronx Parks.
1:01:56
So have those kiosks, are they still present in the parks?
1:02:00
If so, why has this program expanded or has it been expanded?
1:02:04
If you could go a little bit more into the kiosks.
Rebecca Linn-Walton
1:02:07
Yeah.
1:02:07
So actually we're really proud to say there's 21 kiosks in The Bronx and there's 40 across the city.
1:02:13
And I talk with parks every single week about how it's going.
1:02:17
They talk constantly about should we be moving it to a different location?
1:02:20
Is there different signage that we should put on it so it's clearer how to use them?
1:02:25
I know that we figure out things like is there a different vendor that will need fewer fixes for a syringe kiosk over the course of the year.
1:02:33
And so we're constantly working to refine the program like you talked about before and make sure it's still working.
Linda Lee
1:02:43
And okay.
1:02:45
So there's 21 now.
1:02:46
Although I have to say there are 16 in 2019.
1:02:50
You think the 21 is accurate in terms of the reflection of the numbers we're seeing right now or should we add more and then also how much is the total cost to purchase, install and maintain one of those?
Rebecca Linn-Walton
1:03:01
Yeah, I love those questions.
1:03:02
So it costs 2,000 to purchase an outdoor kiosk and 300 for a restroom drop box.
1:03:08
And so there's just going through it, it's all Parks information.
1:03:15
They were so lovely and shared with us.
1:03:17
And your other questions were, so we're trying to layer on other things as well because we are finding that people are using them.
1:03:26
We also have more boxes that the state has helped the SSPs get, so there's many more opportunities to drop off.
1:03:33
I think there was one other question.
1:03:34
I'm so sorry for No.
Linda Lee
1:03:35
No.
1:03:35
It's fine.
1:03:35
I I just wanted to know because from '16 to '21 from 2019 to now, doesn't seem like a huge jump.
1:03:41
So just wanted to see if you feel like that's sufficient.
1:03:44
Are there plans to expand it further beyond the '21?
Rebecca Linn-Walton
1:03:48
Yeah.
1:03:48
So I definitely defer to the city on plans for expansion and funding around that.
1:03:53
But I do have to say that that's why we thought the layer on of the outreach teams was a good addition to the kiosk because with a kiosk you don't have any education opportunities and you don't have an opportunity to bring someone over to the brick and mortar site.
1:04:07
So we think that's a really key piece to it.
1:04:09
And then we think the syringe redemption program will ultimately get a lot more people engaged in these services and then having safe opportunities for disposal as well.
Linda Lee
1:04:17
Okay.
1:04:17
Perfect.
1:04:18
Round two questions.
1:04:20
Council member Felice, if you wanna Council member Meely, do you have any questions?
1:04:23
Sorry.
Rebecca Linn-Walton
1:04:23
I just
Linda Lee
1:04:24
have one.
1:04:24
Okay.
1:04:25
Sure.
1:04:25
Go ahead.