HYPODERMIC NEEDLES HAVE RECENTLY BEEN FOUND IN SEVERAL UNLIKELY PLACES IN
POWELL RIVER

Don Krompocker, temporary safety coordinator for the municipality, said
municipal workers have removed needles from all sorts of "scary places" in
the community.

"This may be Powell River, but people should still check their gardens,
especially if they live in a high-traffic area for drugs," he said.

He also advises parents to check out playgrounds before letting their
children play. "A lot of our playgrounds are out of the way and are not
well used at night," said Krompocker, adding that needles have been found
in a playground area at Mowat Bay.

Municipal employees were recently called to pick up a needle that was left
on a boat in the harbour. They've also picked up needles at the airport.
The other day a municipal worker removed a broken electric baseboard heater
from a washroom, and a needle came out.

AIDS, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C can be transmitted if infected blood is
passed into the bloodstream through a contaminated needle. Properly
disposing of needles will greatly reduce the risk of accidental needle
pricks and exposure to deadly diseases.

Krompocker wants people to call the municipality or the fire department if
they come across needles. "We will send someone who is trained to pick
the needles up, and they will dispose of them through the health unit."

If unable to access a phone immediately, residents are asked to put a rock
or another object on top of the needle so it is not a hazard to someone
else, and then phone.

"We don't want to scare people to death. We just want to let them know
this is a problem," said Krompocker.

When people are disposing of sharp objects in their garbage, such as glass
or knives, Krompocker asks that they put them in another container first or
label the bag clearly with a note saying there are sharp objects inside.