Needle packaging. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

What to do if you find needles on the ground in P.A.

Apr 19, 2023 | 12:00 PM

People walking around Prince Albert may notice used needles on the ground.

With the warmer weather we’ve been recently experiencing has melted most of the snow away, revealing trash that wasn’t properly disposed of.

Those who find needles can call Access Place during the day, who will send out their harm-reduction van to take care of it. The Prince Albert Fire Department can be called during nights and weekends.

But Lyle Karasiuk, a spokesperson for Parkland Ambulance, told paNOW it’s safe for people to clean them up if they follow a few tips— including wearing gloves.

“Your ordinary gardening gloves are perfectly fine,” he said.

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Those disposing of the needles themselves should only touch the plunger part of the syringe, avoiding the actual needle, and to make sure they are not thrown out loosely.

“Don’t dump these into areas like recycling bins where the potential of someone else handling the items could be harmed,” Karasiuk added.

Instead, you should place the needle in something secure and then find a sharps bin to put it in.

Meanwhile, Operation Needle Pickup is expected to start soon in the community.

A small group of people will be taking a couple of days to walk around P.A. and dispose of any needles that they found.

Last year’s pickup didn’t start until early May.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow