North Battleford Fire Chief Trevor Brice told city council members July 15 needle pickups continue to be up from last year.
According to the report he presented at City Hall, there were 33 pickups during the month of June and 164 overall for the year.
North Battleford is not alone in seeing increases. Brice said Calgary is also seeing a big increase, which has quadrupled the last four years.
“We are headed for 300 a year for a city a lot less the size of Calgary,” said Brice.
As for how to respond, one possibility floated at the meeting was to seek more provincial funding. Brice noted Red Deer had gone to the Alberta government for more money and suggested seeking similar help in this province.
