For a map of needle disposal bins, visit: cityofgp.com/needleresourceguide
For more information: 780-538-0380 csd@cityofgp.com cityofgp.com/needleresourceguide
The Opioid Task Force Committee includes the following partners:
Grande Prairie Needle Disposal Guide
What are the risks of touching or being poked by a discarded needle?
Why do we need a guide? Drug and needle debris is a challenging issue for Grande Prairie, but our community is not alone. Cities across the globe are tackling this issue with strategies to ensure individuals and communities are as safe and healthy as possible. Needles are used by people with specific health conditions and addictions. Safe disposal of these needles reduces the chances of injury for those in the community. The majority of needles in our community are disposed of safely by the people who have used them, however, there is still work to be done. People who use needles and the community at large have a shared responsibility for safe disposal.
The goals specific to needle debris are: • Raise community awareness about needle safety. • Reduce the number of discarded needles. • Provide options for safe disposal of needles. • Reduce risk and prevent injury to the public who find discarded needles. • Empower the community to take appropriate action related to needle safety.
Anyone can potentially get hurt if they accidentally get poked by a needle, however the majority of people will not get sick. You can not get sick by picking up a needle if you take the proper precautions. We know picking up other people’s garbage with bare hands is not a good idea because it’s an easy way to come into contact with germs. Needles are not like other garbage and require special care and attention.
For more information on communicable diseases, visit: THANK YOU to the City of Edmonton and its Capital City Clean Up partners for sharing their safe needle disposal tool kit as a resource, as well as the City of Red Deer for sharing their Needle Disposal Guide.
I FOUND A NEEDLE
I see many needles in a pile.
HOW TO DISPOSE OF A NEEDLE SAFELY
I have no way of taking the needles in an appropriate container to a safe place.
LEAVE NEEDLES ALONE.
I have the necessary tools: bag, latex, rubber or leather gloves, non-breakable puncture proof container, hand sanitizer, pliers or tongs.
NO Mark the needle with an object to protect yourself and others from possible harm. Do not cover it up.
CHILDREN, PLEASE
I’m willing to help clean up, to support a safe and clean Grande Prairie.
OR
When viruses in needles are exposed to the open air, most will die within minutes, however some could take hours or longer. There is no way to know how long a needle has been lying where you found it. It is best to be safe.
myhealth.alberta.ca
A number of Grande Prairie agencies and community members have come together as the Opioid Task Force to address the growing concern of drug and needle debris.
I am unable to pick it up, but I want a safe and clean Grande Prairie.
When a person finishes using a needle, some of their blood may still be inside the needle. If you get poked by the needle and the blood enters your bloodstream, you could potentially get sick.
1
TREAT ANY NEEDLE YOU FIND AS CONTAMINATED. Put on latex, rubber or leather gloves to protect your hands from contamination. Use tong or pliers to carefully pick up the needle with the tip pointed away from your body.
2
PLACE THE SHARPS CONTAINER ON A STABLE SURFACE. DO NOT hold the container while putting the needle inside. Place the needle point down into the container and close lid. Use a non-breakable, puncture-proof container such as a thick plastic bottle or a sharps container.
YES 3
Bio-hazard containers are available at HIV North.
If you are poked by a
needle call Health Link HIV NORTH: 780-538-3388 HIV NORTH STREET OUTREACH: 780-832-8548
at 811
4
FIND THE NEAREST NEEDLE DISPOSAL LOCATION
HIV North Office: 9607 102 St. For hours, call: 780-538-3388 HIV North Street Outreach: 780-832-8548 Pharmacies: many will take used needles for disposal but require needles be in a biohazard container. Please call your local pharmacy for more information. Yellow Bin Needle Drop Locations: • Community Village • Detox Entrance • Salvation Army • The Industry – empty lot across the street • Ramona’s Pizza • Prairie Mall – North wall of • Rotary House Shopper’s Drug Mart • Better Than Fred’s • Parking lot North of Mini Links Mini Golf
WASH YOUR HANDS AND/OR USE HAND SANITIZER. DISINFECT ALL TOOLS WITH BLEACH IF YOU PLAN TO USE THEM AGAIN. If you find other debris, pick it up with tongs and place it in a sharps container for safe disposal.