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. <\/p>\n
Residents of Boulder, a suburb of Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia, say they\u2019re sick and tired of finding the dangerous items strewn along their paths, playgrounds and even bus stop benches. <\/p>\n
The growing issue has forced lollipop lady, Miss Patt, to take matters into her own hands. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
A shocking image shows the hefty amount she\u2019s removed in just three months. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would rather I pick them up carefully than some kid find them or step on them,\u201d Miss Patt told the publication. <\/p>\n
\u201cJust walking and you can see them, I mean it\u2019s quite distressing when you think kids walk to school on their own, some of them are no bigger than their backpacks. It\u2019s like they probably pick them up out of curiosity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Parents forced to check yards before kids play<\/p>\n
Local mum, Pam, said the \u201cabsolutely disgusting\u201d problem is so prevalent that parents are being forced to check their own yards before sending their children out to play. <\/p>\n
\u201cNot a day goes by that schools aren\u2019t picking them up out of the playgrounds,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomething 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Locals warned not to handle used syringes<\/p>\n
Speaking to news.com.au, a spokesperson for the Western Australian Police Force confirmed that \u201cKalgoorlie Police are aware of community concerns regarding used syringes being found on footpaths, in parks and at playgrounds in the Boulder area\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe clean-up and safe disposal of used syringes is the responsibility of local government authorities and relevant health and waste management services,\u201d the spokesperson said, warning that community members \u201cshould not handle used syringes\u201d unless they have been trained and are equipped to do so. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
More than 5,000 discarded syringes collected this year<\/p>\n
A free needle and syringe exchange program operates at Population Health Kalgoorlie, a spokesperson for the WA Country Health Service told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cNeedle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) are an important harm reduction strategy to minimise the spread of blood-borne viruses,\u201d they said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are safe disposal bins in most public toilets across town, the spokesperson added.<\/p>\n
Despite this, 7News reports the city\u2019s Safer Streets Patrol collected 5,085 discarded syringes between January and July \u2013 more than double the 2,450 collected during the same time last year.<\/p>\n