EVERETT — Used syringes have littered parks, playgrounds and sidewalks as heroin abuse has surged.
Now, free kits are available from the Snohomish Health District with the necessary supplies so people can safely dispose of discarded syringes.
“It’s an issue we’ve seen increasing across the community,” said Heather Thomas, a spokeswoman for the agency.
Some people have asked how to dispose of the needles, she said. “We want to make sure they have the proper equipment to do it safely.”
Used syringes can spread diseases such as hepatitis C through accidental needle pokes.
The kits include a container for the syringes, puncture-proof gloves, safety glasses, tongs, hand sanitizer and instructions.
They are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the health district’s Everett offices, 3020 Rucker Ave., Suite 104.
Containers with used syringes should be returned to the health district for safe disposal.
The public health agency handed out the first two kits Wednesday.
About 50 kits have been prepared and supplies for a total of 1,000 kits have been ordered.
The cost of materials for each kit is about $20. The public also can buy the supplies in the kits at local stores and pharmacies, Thomas said.
The health district will ask those returning sharp containers where they found the needles. That information will be used for data analysis.
Children should be reminded not to touch discarded needles and syringes. They should tell an adult where they saw them, Thomas said.
Snohomish may be the only county is Washington that has made such kits available to the public. Seattle has a hotline for reporting discarded needles and syringes.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
More info
The kits are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Snohomish Health District’s Everett offices, 3020 Rucker Ave, Suite 104. A video on how to safely remove used syringes is available online at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vizCPKeLWA&feature=youtu.be
More information on the needle clean-up kits is available at: www.snohomishoverdoseprevention.com/clean-up/
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