The Town of Parry Sound wants the public to know what to do if they come across discarded needles in town.
In a statement, the town said it was looking to address concerns raised by the public about what to do with used sharps or needles. This comes after concerned resident Thomas Buttineau spoke at a council meeting earlier in August. Buttineau brought up concerns of needles being found at Waubuno Beach in town.
Mayor Jamie McGarvey said he wanted to assure the public that there hasn’t been an increase in needles or sharps being found in public spaces within the town.
When the My Parry Sound Now newsroom asked the OPP earlier in August about needles or sharps being found at the beach they said nothing had been reported to them. However, they did add that used needles had been found near public places in town more than once this year.
If you do come across a sharp or needle in public, the Town of Parry Sound says you can follow these steps:
- Bring a puncture-proof, leak proof container with a lid – like a pickle jar or bleach container
- Place the sharp or needle inside the container, use tongs if available
- Do not bend, break, or recap the object
- Don’t walk while handling the object
- Wash your hands immediately after handling the object
- Label container hazardous waste and bring the container to a hazardous waste depot or to the health unit
Cathy Menzies-Boule from the North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit asks anyone using intravenous drugs to access the Needle Exchange Program. It’s located in the Health Unit inside the Parry Sound Mall
For more information head to the Health Unit’s website.
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