NEEDLE FIND IS DISTURBING IN A SMALL TOWN

Dear editor,

I am beyond angry.

I received a worried phone call from a father of a friend my son plays
with.

He was phoning to inform that the boys had found some used needles
while playing near a creek. Can you imagine getting that call?

I always felt that Port Hardy was a safe, great place to raise your
kids. I know every town has its share of problems and drugs, but
enough is enough.

The creek where the children play is right across from an apartment
building, which is a problem all in itself.

I would like to know why nothing is being done by the landlords? There
are so many apartments in town that are an eyesore, and it's also
obvious who lives there.

I had the talk about needles with my son enough times, when we lived
in bigger cities, so he knows not to touch, but unfortunately his
friend did not. He picked them up (five to be exact) and threw them
into the creek.

As a parent, this sickens and outrages me. AIDS, Hepatitis C and who
knows what else could have been on those things.

The police were great, and came right out to check things out, but all
that was found was the lids of the needles, which was absolutely
disgusting to see lying on the ground in the open.

Something drastic has to be done. This town used to be beautiful, but
now there is garbage everywhere, including dirty needles.

If something is not done about the drug situation, pretty soon people
will start to take this matter into their own hands.

Julie Meredith

Port Hardy