Discarded needles are everywhere in Prince George – green spaces, parking lots, parks, sidewalks and walkways, private property, public bathrooms and other locations. But what should you do if you find one?
According to information released by Northern Health and the City of Prince George, children should be taught to never touch a discarded needle and to inform an adult immediately.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF A DISCARDED NEEDLE
If you have the appropriate equipment and feel comfortable disposing of the needle yourself, follow these steps:
- Pick up the needle by the plastic barrel, using tongs, pliers or a gloved hand.
- Point the needle tip down and away from yourself or anyone else. Do not try to put the cap back on.
- Put the needle in a strong plastic container like a bleach bottle or peanut butter jar. Screw the lid on, and seal it with tape (duct tape is best). Don’t use glass jars that can break or thin plastic containers like milk jugs which can be penetrated by a needle. Take the sealed container to Northern Health’s Harm Reduction Clinic at 1108 Third Ave. Do not dispose of needles into the garbage or flush them down a toilet.
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If you are near a blue needle drop box, place the needle inside the box instead. A map of needle drop boxes operated by the City of Prince George is included in this story.
WHEN TO CALL FOR HELP
If you don’t have the equipment to dispose of a needle safely, don’t feel safe doing it, find a group of needles discarded together or find one or more needles broken into pieces, don’t attempt to dispose of the needle yourself.
Be careful if disposing of needles discarded in tall grass or any other area where needles could be hidden. More needles may be discarded in the same area, but not immediately visible.
Call the City of Prince George at 250-561-7600, report the location of the needles on the city’s website, or use the City of Prince George mobile app.
If you continue to find needles in the same area, phone the City of Prince George and report the issue. The city may be able to install a needle disposal box in that area.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN POKED BY A NEEDLE
Wash the area well with soap and water, and then go directly to the emergency room at the University Hospital of Northern B.C. for assessment, Northern Health advises. Do not squeeze the wound to try to make it bleed more, this can damage the tissue and make it easier for an infection to enter the bloodstream.
“The vast majority of people who get poked by a used needle do not get sick, because most viruses die within minutes to hours after being exposed to the open air. But since there is no way to know how recently the needle was discarded, it is best to be cautious,” Northern Health advises. “The main infections that can be spread by used needles are hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).”
For more information on safe needle handling, see Northern Health’s Safe Needle Disposal Guide.
