By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

City offers up tips for what to do if you find a needle

Aug 28, 2017 | 4:04 PM

The City of Red Deer is educating the public on what to do if you come across a needle.

Ryan Veldkamp with the Public Injection and Debris Committee says, “If we want a clean and safe Red Deer, we have to take a shared approach to disposing of needles.”

“We know that if you are properly equipped, you can safely pick up and dispose of a needle,” he continues. “However, we also understand some people will be nervous doing that, so we have a phone number to call where City staff will dispatch the appropriate person(s) to pick up any needles found.”

The Red Deer Needle Disposal Guide outlines two options for what to do if you discover a discarded needle.

Those who are too nervous or unprepared to pick the needle up can call 403-342-8328. The caller will be asked to describe the needle location and be encouraged to mark it to protect others and help crews locate it. Depending on the time of day, an employee with Public Works, Emergency Services, Parks or Red Deer’s Downtown Business Association Clean Team will then be dispatched.

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Those who are comfortable with handling the needle and are equipped with gloves, tongs or pliers, as well as a sharps container, can safely pick up and dispose of a needle.

Pickup kits are available at all City fire halls. There are disposal bins outside fire halls #1, #2 and at headquarters in Mountview, as well as at many pharmacies, Turning Point and at brown needle drop boxes located throughout the city’s trail and park system.

“In order to tackle the drug debris issue, the community is working together to balance the safety of persons with addictions and the safety of the general public,” added Veldkamp.

To read the City’s guide to safe needle disposal, visit any Red Deer library or recreation centre. A digital version can be found at www.reddeer.ca.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

City offers up tips for what to do if you find a needle

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