DON'T PICK UP DISCARDED NEEDLES, PUBLIC WARNED

Dirty needles are frequently found carelessly thrown away on city
streets, but a number of syringes recently found in Canatara Park have
prompted police to warn the public.

To avoid accidental needle pricks, report dirty syringes or ensure an
adult delivers them safely to police or public health officials, says
Acting Staff Sgt. Doug Cunningham of Sarnia Police Service.

Huge boxes of dirty needles are shipped out every month from the local
community health services building on Exmouth Street at Front, says
Bea Lennan, public health nurse.

"We give out about 40,000 needles a month to drug users and get about
80 per cent of them back," said Lennan, who works with Lambton
County's needle exchange program.

The majority are returned by drug users who take responsibility for
their "dirties."

But others are inadvertently found in the community, sometimes in
beach areas.

Lennan said no one should ever touch a used needle with their bare
hands. Using gloves or some other form of protection, needles should
be carefully put in a glass or hard plastic container and turned into
the police station or the health unit.

Pricks from dirty needles can cause contact with Hepatitis B,
Hepatitis C or the HIV virus.

"The odds are that used needles left on the ground are likely from
drug users and they often share them," Lennan said.

Some are infected with Hepatitis C, a virus that affects the liver and
produces chronic symptoms that frequently lead to serious
complications. Hepatitis B also damages the liver.

HIV is less likely to be contracted from a dirty needle because it's a
virus that doesn't live long outside the body. However, Hepatitis
viruses can live for several weeks on a needle.

"If you're pricked, go to the emergency department immediately and get
a blood test," Lennan said. Medication to fight against HIV is available.

The issue comes up every summer, she said.

Police services will only respond to reports of found dirty needles if
they are an immediate threat to the public, according to Cunningham.

He urged local residents to report any suspicious activity or
suspected illegal drug activity in any public park by calling police
at 519-344-8861 or Crime Stoppers at 519-332-TIPS.