A concerning increase in discarded used needles is forcing parents in a regional Australian city to scour their yards before sending their children out to play.
Residents of Boulder, a suburb of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia, say they’re sick and tired of finding the dangerous items strewn along their paths, playgrounds and even bus stop benches.
The growing issue has forced lollipop lady, Miss Patt, to take matters into her own hands.
During her daily 2.5km walk, she told 7News she collects up to 10 used syringes and places them in empty water bottles and buckets.
A shocking image shows the hefty amount she’s removed in just three months.
“I would rather I pick them up carefully than some kid find them or step on them,” Miss Patt told the publication.
“Just walking and you can see them, I mean it’s quite distressing when you think kids walk to school on their own, some of them are no bigger than their backpacks. It’s like they probably pick them up out of curiosity.”
Parents forced to check yards before kids play
Local mum, Pam, said the “absolutely disgusting” problem is so prevalent that parents are being forced to check their own yards before sending their children out to play.
“Not a day goes by that schools aren’t picking them up out of the playgrounds,” she explained.
“Something needs to change because my children, at under six-years-old, should not have to be in class and be taught what to do when they find a used needle.”
Locals warned not to handle used syringes
Speaking to news.com.au, a spokesperson for the Western Australian Police Force confirmed that “Kalgoorlie Police are aware of community concerns regarding used syringes being found on footpaths, in parks and at playgrounds in the Boulder area”.
“The clean-up and safe disposal of used syringes is the responsibility of local government authorities and relevant health and waste management services,” the spokesperson said, warning that community members “should not handle used syringes” unless they have been trained and are equipped to do so.
“If you identify a used syringe in a public place, please contact your local council so appropriate arrangements can be made for its removal and disposal.”
More than 5,000 discarded syringes collected this year
A free needle and syringe exchange program operates at Population Health Kalgoorlie, a spokesperson for the WA Country Health Service told news.com.au.
“Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) are an important harm reduction strategy to minimise the spread of blood-borne viruses,” they said.
“It provides a face-to-face service within a safe setting, where a health professional can provide sterile equipment, education on safe injecting practices, brief health interventions, harm reduction messages and encourages the safe disposal of needles.”
There are safe disposal bins in most public toilets across town, the spokesperson added.
Despite this, 7News reports the city’s Safer Streets Patrol collected 5,085 discarded syringes between January and July – more than double the 2,450 collected during the same time last year.
Information on what to do if you find a needle or syringe in the community can be found on the Healthy WA website.