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Needle packaging. (File Photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Needle Pickup

Over 200 discarded needles collected by North Battleford Fire Department since January

Aug 22, 2023 | 12:57 PM

North Battleford’s Fire Department has been busy in 2023 picking up discarded needles.

Members collected 205 from the start of January to the end of July. This is up from the 153 they took off the streets during the same seven-month period in 2022.

Despite this, Fire Chief Lindsey Holm told battlefordsNOW he’s not too concerned.

“People are more aware of them and they’re doing a good job of calling them in, reporting them,” he said.

The worst month, by far, was April when crews collected 59 needles. This amounts to just under two a day. It’s not that surprising as most needles are found in the early spring when the snow starts to melt away, Holm said.

Holm added the numbers also seem to change every year, so they’re not worried about this year’s increase.

The fire department isn’t the only organization that collects needles. According to Holm, members of the city’s harm reduction services also help out.

“We’re the main ones that’ll (collect) them in the general public, out in parks and on streets,” he said.

Because they’re not the only organization collecting needles, the fire department doesn’t have the exact amount that have been taken off the streets this year.

Meanwhile, those who find a needle can call the fire department.

People should not call 911 as this line is only for emergencies.

Those who want to get rid of the needles themselves can do so by wearing gloves, only grabbing the plunger part of the syringe, and putting it in something secure that can be dropped off in a sharps bin.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow