MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Seattle restaurant defends needle bins in restrooms after backlash

Feb 19, 2018, 2:17 PM | Updated: 2:18 pm

Chaco Canyon, needle bins...

Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe in Seattle's University District has put a Sharps container in its bathroom. (KIRO 7)

(KIRO 7)

Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe in Seattle’s University District has found itself in the middle of the debate on the heroin epidemic.

The restaurant has waste bins specifically for needles in each of its bathrooms.

Some on social media have blasted the bins as encouraging drug use, but Chaco Canyon workers say it’s only for public safety.

RELATED: No illegal safe injection sites planned for the U-District

KIRO 7 found the waste bins full of needles on Monday when we went to get the restaurant’s take on the issue.

“People are going to be using, wherever they are,” Chaco Canyon worker Jeff Coyne said. Coyne also volunteers at the U-District needle exchange.

“I’ve seen people all over the city, using in alleyways.”

The needle bins aren’t new, but on Sunday, members of the group Safe Seattle shared a Facebook post blasting the idea.

A man who says he’s a loyal Chaco customer wrote, “The logic: we won’t serve you meat, eggs, dairy, or honey because they’re bad for you, but please shoot up heroin in our bathrooms. It’s, like, totally vegan.

We shouldn’t pretend this is normal, safe, healthy, or good for our addicted brothers and sisters.”

Chaco Canyon caught in the middle

The post had comments from people who felt strongly on both sides.

On Monday, everyone KIRO 7 talked to at Chaco Canyon supported the needle bins.

“I think it’s great,” McKenczie Porritt said. “Having heroin needle receptacles is another way of demonstrating compassion toward living creatures.”

While Chaco Canyon Cafe stands by the decision to have needle receptacles in the bathroom, you wouldn’t know it unless you went in the bathroom.

The bins aren’t advertised anywhere.

KIRO 7 anchor John Knicely asked Coyne if he thinks the bins encourage people to shoot up.

“You know we don’t want people to be doing that,” Coyne said. “We don’t know that people are going to be using a needle in the bathroom.”

He says the bins help protect workers from needles being thrown in the trash.

“You know, someone poking themselves with one, or someone reusing them,” Coyne said.
“It sort of encourages the safe practice of disposing of them.”

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

6 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

10 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

11 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

13 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

13 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

15 hours ago

Seattle restaurant defends needle bins in restrooms after backlash