PUBLIC WARNED ABOUT FINDING DIRTY NEEDLES

Dirty needles are popping up in yards, alleys and dumpsters around the
city, and the fire department is warning the public to steer clear.

"This is definitely a public safety risk," said fire department
spokesperson Angela Prawzick.

This year, firefighters have been called to pick up needles 133 times --
most of which happened in the last two weeks.

Dirty hypodermic needles, which are often used for intravenous drug use,
can spread fatal diseases like Hepatitis C and HIV to someone who is stuck
accidentally.

Last year, firefighters received more than 400 calls about dirty needles
found in Regina, showing a dramatic increase in calls in the past few
years. In 2000, the department received just over 100 calls.

"One response doesn't mean just one needle, sometimes it's a dozen, a
couple of dozen, even 50 or 60 needles," Prawzick says.

About two-thirds of the needles are found in North Central, the Core Area
and Al Ritchie, though the numbers in those areas are levelling off while
they continue to rise in other areas of the city, including on the east end
of Victoria Avenue and in Rochdale Boulevard.

"There is not one area of the city where needles are not being found,"
Prawzick says.

Lori Foster, public affairs consultant for the Regina Qu'Appelle Health
District, said used needles are a concern, but that people seem to be
getting the message.

"Obviously people are being careful if the fire department is getting a lot
of calls," she said, adding there have been no recent cases of members of
the public being poked accidentally with a discarded needle.

The safe disposal of needles is part of the mandate of the health
district's needle exchange program, which works with the fire department
and city on the issue, she said.

Firefighters will collect needles found in any public area, but won't go
inside a private home to get them. Crews have gotten special training and
use a piece of equipment to pick up the needles, which are then put into
biohazard containers for safe disposal.

Prawzick says the department is especially concerned that young children
know what a needle is, what dangers it can pose, and what to do if they
find one -- which is tell an adult to call 9-1-1.

Needles have been included as part of a new neighborhood safety walk for
kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children. For more information about the
proper disposal of dirty needles call the Street Project at 766-7799.