A rise in discarded needles in some Ottawa neighbourhoods has residents concerned, though some of the increase may be because of increased collection by Ottawa Public Health.
As of the end of October, Ottawa had 26,928 recovered needles – a 13 per cent increase compared with the same period last year.
Rideau-Vanier Ward remains a hotspot, accounting for 69 per cent of all needle recoveries. Second-place Somerset Ward collected 7,466 needles, while Capital Ward found 434.
Ottawa Public Health’s Needle Hunter program could be one reason for the numbers. OPH personnel patrol “high-activity” neighbourhoods such as Lowertown, Sandy Hill, and Centretown looking for needles. Established in 1998, Needle Hunters account for 92 per cent of all discovered needles across the city.
“In 2025, three additional Needle Hunter routes were added to this ward, which is far more routes than what is present in other communities across the city,” the OPH media relations team told Capital Current. “As Needle Hunters are the most reliable and consistent source of collection data, this can attribute to the higher statistics noted.”
In the latest numbers there are changes happening closer to the street-level. For example, Rideau-Vanier’s Lowertown West area experienced a 12.5 per cent drop in recovered needles, following a significant decline from its peak in 2023, but surrounding neighbourhoods saw an increase in recovered needles. Lowertown East’s recovered needles rose by 25 per cent, Sandy Hill’s by eight per cent and Vanier South’s by more than 253 per cent.
Long-time Sandy Hill resident, Betsy Schuurman, said that she’s been seeing discarded needles in her neighborhood for years. Schuurman, who chairs Action Sandy Hill, says the number of improperly discarded needles found in playgrounds and other public areas where children frequent is a “real concern.”
“At my block party this summer, a child found a needle in the street,” she said. “So they’re quite prevalent.”
In a separate incident in 2024, a toddler was reportedly taken to the CHEO after a syringe was found in her mouth at Princess Margriet Park. CHEO then issued an online warning for parents to remain vigilant in the area.
While Needle Hunters accounts for the bulk of recovered needles this year, more residents and businesses are reporting finding needles on their property. Reports by residents and businesses jumped by 145 per cent compared to 2024.
Schuurman says she has found needles within her own backyard.
OPH says anyone who finds a discarded needle should contact city staff or dispose of it in a needle drop box. If needles are found on private property, owners are responsible for removing them, though they can contact a private waste removal company.
Bylaw and Regulatory Services may retrieve needles in publicly accessible areas if it poses a risk to the public, said OPH. Schuurman added that Action Sandy Hill is working with Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Stéphanie Plante on a bylaw that will permit officers to go onto private property to remove discarded needles safely. However, this proposal is in early stages.
“Even if the city had the authority to go onto private property, they may not have the workforce to do it. So it becomes a question of resources,” said Schuurman.
OPH says that “healthy and safe communities is everyone’s common goal,” and encourages everyone who comes across discarded needles or drug use equipment to report their findings to ensure that their data is “as fulsome as possible.”
