Does Charlottetown need a campaign on how to safely deal with discarded needles?

A Charlottetown city councillor is calling on the police department to better educate residents about what to do if they find discarded needles.

"People are coming across needles ... it's a major concern in this city," said Coun. Mitchell Tweel.

He said it's an issue at this time of year when the snow melts, revealing needles on the ground as residents are cleaning up for spring.

He said the police could do interviews, send out press releases, visit schools and host community meetings to get out the message about how to handle stray needles.

"The police department is mandated to come and confiscate those needles ... They've been doing it to their credit, but it's not really well-documented in the community," he said.

"I'd like to see our chief of police tell the community that, 'Here's the procedure, the protocol, the mechanisms,' so that in the event anyone in the community ... immediately phone[s] the Charlottetown Police Department and the people would have that assurance and have that knowledge first-hand."

A safety issue

He imagines police would be able to respond within minutes to properly dispose of discarded needles.

"It's a safety and a security issue," he said.

"The last thing we want is children or anyone not knowing the safety ramifications and consequences of picking up a needle."

The Charlottetown Police Department said it's taking Tweel's suggestion under consideration and will discuss the issue at the next police services committee meeting. 

What to do if you find a needle

The city issued a public service announcement Thursday reminding residents to contact the Charlottetown Police Services non-emergency line at 902-629-4172 for proper and safe disposal of discarded needles.

If picking up the needle can't be avoided, Island Waste Management Corporation (IWMC) and Health PEI recommend an adult use tongs or puncture-proof gloves to pick up the needle and place it into a proper sharps disposal container.

If a disposal container isn't available, a hard-sided, puncture-resistant container with a screw-on lid can be used to take the needle or sharps to the IWMC's Household Hazardous Waste depots at the Waste Watch Drop-off Centers.

Needles and sharps should never be thrown out in a waste bin.

IWMC, Health PEI and the City of Charlottetown recommend that children be taught never to pick up needles or sharps and to tell an adult if they find such items.

Additional safe needle disposal information for households can be found at here or by contacting IWMC at 1-888-280-8111.