Council takes sharp action on syringes

THE City of Casey has introduced a 24-hour service for the collection and disposal of syringes in public places.
Residents who see a syringe are urged to contact the council with location details to enable safe disposal.
City of Casey residents said in a recent “Perceptions of Local Safety” survey that evidence of drug use made them feel unsafe.
“Reporting discarded needles is one way in which residents can help to maintain the amenity of our public spaces,” the council’s manager community safety Caroline Bell said. “If the risk is imminent and residents feel the need to remove the syringe, or if it is on private property, there are steps that should be taken when picking it up,” she said.
She advised people to never touch the sharp end of the needle and to pick the syringe up by the barrel using gloves and tongs.
Also people should not try to replace the cap on the needle, to put the needle-syringe into a proper syringe or glass container and to screw the lid on tightly.
People should check for other syringes and needles in the vicinity, never dispose of the syringe or cont-ainer down the toilet or into gutters or drains, and do not place them in garbage or recycling bins.
Contact the City of Casey on 9705 5200 to have a syringe collected, or contact the Dandenong Needle Exchange Program on 1800 673 046 or 0418 566 147.
Ms Bell said free syringe containers were also available on request for residents who had specific medical requirements.
Residents could collect empty containers from the council offices at Cranbourne and Narre Warren.