Now that the snow has disappeared and people are spending more time outdoors, the Regina Police Service is getting more frequent calls asking how to arrange for safe removal of found, used needles. If you find a used needle in the community, here are the things you need to know:
1) Don’t try to dispose of a used needle or any biomedical waste in a city garbage container. The City’s Waste Management Bylaw prohibits this.
2) Call The Street Project (of the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region) at 306-766-7799 for help with picking up a needle, in any area of the city. The Street Project’s hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. After hours, call the number and follow the voicemail instructions.
3) Although used needles pose a serious public safety and health hazard, there are ways to dispose of a needle safely, using heavy gloves, a pair of tongs or pliers and a “sharps container” or other type of hard-sided container, with a lid, that can’t be penetrated by the needle (like a coffee tin or a an empty pop bottle with a cap). Use the tongs to pick up the needle and place it in the container; then take the container to a needle disposal drop box or call 306-766-7799 to arrange for pickup.
The Regina Police Service Mission is: Public Service First. Our Vision is: Working Together to Keep Regina Safe. Our Values are: Respectful, Professional Service.