5 safety tips from Thunder Bay Drug Strategy for dealing with discarded needles

Superior Morning4:35Discarded Needles

Melting snow in Thunder Bay reveals old coffee cups, potato chips bags and lots of other garbage. Cynthia Olson explains what to do if you find used syringes.

Spring sunshine and milder temperatures can reveal large amounts of litter under the melting snow, and the Thunder Bay Drug Strategy is reminding people to be especially careful if they find a discarded needle.

The exact number of used needles found around the Ontario city isn't known, but it is on a downward trend, says Thunder Bay Drug Strategy coordinator Cynthia Olsen.

"It tells us that efforts to increase the needle disposal bin sites are likely working and that folks are continuing to do safe disposal practices, which is exactly what we want people to do, and we know the majority of people do that," she said.

It could also point to more peoplecleaning up on their own and not calling Superior Points, said Olsen.

Personal clean up kits, which includetongs, a plastic container, rubber gloves and safety instructions, were introduced in 2014.

By the by end of last year'sspring clean-up season, approximately 250 of thekits had been distributed to the community, said Olsen. They are availablefrom the Thunder Bay District Health Unit through Superior Points, or at Elevate NWO.

However, since discarded needles are occasionally found in the city, especially during community spring cleaning efforts, Olsen had this advice:

1. Call Superior Points, not city police

Disposing of needles is not the core function of police, said Olsen. Instead, she recommends people contact Superior Points if a discarded needle is found, or a container of needles needs to be picked up. The numbers are (807) 625-8831 or (807)625-7996.

2. Don't use your hands to pick up the needle

"The actual risk of infection from a publicly discarded needle is very, very low, but we still want to handle them with care, " said Olsen.She advises using tongs or pliers to pick up the syringe.

3. Store the needle in a plasticcontainer

It's best to store needles in a hard plastic container with a lid, such as an empty peanut butter jar, said Olsen. Glass is not recommended because it can break.

4. Clearly label the container

Mark the container with the word needle to ensure people know what's inside.

5. Drop-off locations for needles

Containers with used needles can be dropped off at Elevate NWO, Shelter House or the Thunder Bay District Health Unit, said Olsen. Single needles can be discarded in any of the yellow metal disposal bins found throughout Thunder Bay.

• Alley 100 blockof Simpson off Miles
• Alley 100 block of Bethune/Cumming
• Royal Edward parking lot
• North End Kaministiquia Park
• Alley100 block ofNorth May off Victoria
• Machar alley near Wilson Park
• Dease Street alley just off McKenzie (behind St. Luke's Church)