Photo courtesy of Northreach Society

By Liam Verster

Needle Disposal Tips and Training

Needle debris may be uncovered as snow melts in Grande Prairie

Feb 23, 2021 | 11:58 AM

CORRECTION: The phone number for the Mobile Outreach Program is 780-830-7094.

As the temperatures rise and the snow slowly begins to melt away, the Northreach Society is warning the public that discarded needles may be uncovered in and around Grande Prairie.

Teams from Northreach and the Mobile Outreach Program are working together to clean up needle debris, and both organizations can be contacted to report needles in the community. Northreach can be called at 780-538-3388 or contacted through their Facebook page, while the Mobile Outreach Program can be reached at 780-830-7094.

Meanwhile, people who feel comfortable cleaning up needle debris, are advised to be careful while doing so.

Lindsay Loset, the Community Based Health and STBBI Program Manager at Northreach Society, says needles should be stored in puncture proof sealable containers, like a Tupperware container, a water bottle, or a needle bin, which Northreach can provide to those who wish to help clean up needle debris.

“We recommend using some disposable gloves and then tongs to pick up the needle. You would pick up the needle point down, and when you’re picking up the needle, you would want to put the bin or the container really close to the needle and not hang on to it as you’re putting it in, just in case that needle slips out of your tongs, you’re just decreasing your risk of accidental needle poke that way,” says Loset.

She adds that it’s recommended people wear close-toed shoes while doing this, set up the containers very close to the needle so it doesn’t have to be carried very far, and to not try to put the cap back on any exposed needles.

Loset says people should only clean up needle debris if they feel comfortable or are trained to do so, as there is a risk of contracting a few different infections if accidentally poked, most notably HIV and Hepatitis C.

“The thing about HIV is it’s actually a very delicate or very fragile virus, so it actually dies when it’s outside of a body within a few minutes, so you’re risk is very, very low of getting HIV from an accidental needle poke,” says Loset, adding that there is still a risk of contracting the virus if the needle was used very recently.

“But Hepatitis C can last outside the body for approximately 30 days, so that would be a little bit of a greater risk.”

She advises people to be careful at all times when handling used needles, and if anyone is accidentally poked, they should wash the affected area with soap and water as much as possible without scrubbing the area; let it bleed out, but don’t squeeze the area too hard; and go to the emergency room to report what happened.

Loset adds the risk of drug poisoning from an accidental poke is very low.

Anyone who wants to help clean up needle debris but are a little fearful of the experience can access training through Northreach. Loset says the training also includes practice picking up new, un-used needles, to build up muscle memory and confidence, while also reducing the risk in the event of an accidental needle poke.

“In that training we can also provide more information regarding the risk of transmission and the illnesses that can be transmitted. And then also provide the bins, and we can also show the individuals the other supplies we hand out, so that way they know ‘If we see this supply, we can also keep an eye out for needles.'”

Needles that are picked up in the community should not be put in regular garbage bins, even once safely stored in a container. The needles and debris should be brought to Northreach, who will then hand them over to public health, who will incinerate the needles.