A spring clean-up of discarded syringes was held in Kamsack April 18 and at Yorkton on April 25.
At Kamsack members of the New Beginnings outreach centre joined public health workers from Sunrise Health Region to conduct the clean-up, said a release from Sunrise.
Individuals use syringes for many different purposes, the release said. There are medical conditions such as diabetes that involve the use of needles, and others use syringes to inject illicit drugs due to addiction issues.
Individuals have said they do not intend to harm other people in the community when they discard used syringes; most will throw out syringes safely if there are safe choices available.
Sunrise Health Region has installed safe needle disposal units in Yorkton and Kamsack to ensure everyone has a safe way of disposing of used syringes, it said. In co-operation with the Town of Kamsack, a Needle Disposal Unit is located behind the Kamsack Shopping Plaza for individuals to safely dispose of their used syringes or sharps containers.
A second location in Kamsack is at the Kamsack Hospital, while in Yorkton, Needle Disposal Units are located on the west side of the Yorkton Regional Health Centre as well as on Betts Avenue.
Only loose syringes or quart size containers will fit, it said. “Larger sharps containers can be taken to your local Public Health Office.”
“If someone picks up a discarded syringe and accidentally pokes himself or herself, the risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis is low,” said Deanna Bartok, HIV strategy co-ordinator with Sunrise Health Region. “Everyone who uses needles has the same need to get rid of his or her used needles safely.
Through the use of safe disposal methods, no one gets hurt unintentionally.”
If a discarded syringe is found on the ground: don’t pick it up with your hands - use tongs, pliers or tweezers and pick it up with needle tip down and away from you; place a hard plastic container or glass jar on a stable surface and place lid on top; take the container to the nearest Public Health Office; don’t throw the syringe or container in the garbage.
“If you are accidentally poked by a discarded syringe, let the wound bleed freely,” it said. “Do not squeeze, suck, scrub or rub the wound. Wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible and proceed immediately to a local health centre.
For more information contact the local Public Health Office or to report a discarded syringe in Yorkton contact the Turning Point Program or Yorkton Fire Protective Services.
