How to Properly Dispose Used Syringes

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Thursday, 20 August 2020 13:24

Southwestern Public Health has provided tips on how to properly dispose used syringes if they are left on your property and a local man from Woodstock has volunteered to help you dispose of them, free of charge.

OXFORD COUNTY - Earlier this week a woman from Woodstock was livid to find a bucket and a bag full of used syringes dumped in her backyard in downtown Woodstock.

This also led to the question of what do you do if you come across a used needle on your property. If the needles or syringes are on public property you can call the City or the Township to come and clean them up. Many Woodstock Police officers have assisted residents in this in the past, however they are under no obligation to do so.

Health Promoter with Southwestern Public Health Josh Veilleux explains what you should do to clean up the needles.

"First you want to make sure the area is clear of any other debris and make sure you are aware of any sharps present. The next step would be to put on rubber gloves first, use tongs to pick up the needle or syringe, if you don't have tongs, gloves or even a container, you can pick those items up at Southwestern Public Health. So if you don't have one of these sharps containers, you can always use any other type of puncture proof container, such as a laundry soap bottle, mason jar, coffee can, things like that."

Veilleux says once you have safely removed the syringes and they are in a container, you need to wash your hands immediately.

"Then you can take the sharps container to any of our disposal locations in the Oxford region. It can be any of the pharmacies in the region, make sure to bring them in a puncture proof container or we have those local sharps bins. We have one outside of Southwestern Public Health, as well as at Old St. Pauls Church and then one downtown as well."

A local resident has offered to help anyone out free of charge, if you are not comfortable doing this yourself. Jason Dimech has created a Facebook group and is offering to help anyone out who maybe overwhelmed. He explains why he created the Facebook Group No Needles Needed.

"I have children, you and many others have children. People are finding needles all over the city including playgrounds. Adults know what a needle is and to steer clear at all cost - not all children of various ages know to not go near an item like that. This issue needs to be addressed and at the beginning of this mission it will be damage control, but who knows, maybe something greater will present itself. Maybe we can be proactive and seek a way to create a more favourable existence for our community.

I have a group page on Facebook called "No Needles Needed." My service to the community will be collecting and discarding needles in a safe discreet manner. When I find a syringe or when I receive a message that any have been located, I will make my way to collect the items provided I am not at work. I also make it a point to ride my bike and get a closer look around town with parks and playgrounds being a focus.

This is the beginning, the very beginning of an act that I believe in wholeheartedly and we will see where it leads. I'm aiming to at least make an effort for change for you and your families."

You can check out his Facebook page online here.

You can find a complete guide from Southwestern Public Health on what do with used syringes by clicking the links below:

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