Bin It!

Am I alone? Or do other people see the things I see? Time after time when walking along the streets in my local area, all I seem to see are carelessly discarded syringes.

The council for their part employ people to remove syringes off our streets, but things don’t seem to improve.

Being an ex-drug user myself, may have made me more aware of the paraphernalia of the drug culture left lying on our streets, for all to see. But apart from being an eyesore there is the question of health and safety.

Young children by nature are inquisitive and see most things as a big adventure.

It doesn’t take them long to learn the mechanics of how a syringe works. It must be a nightmare for a parent, if their child comes home, crying after stabbing him/herself with a discarded syringe. The fact that it is very hard to catch the HIV virus doesn’t stop the parents worrying. (The HIV virus is only active for about eight seconds outside the human body) There are many other nasty viruses and infections that can be passed on by contact with used needles including Hepatitis and Septicaemia. Lifeline operates a clean- for-dirty needle exchange. They dispose of dirty needles safely with no risk to anyone.

My own views about people who discard syringes in public places are that they are irresponsible, uncaring and bone-idle. It takes no effort to take it home and bin it! There is no need to discard dirty syringes on the street.
Barry

Sharps Needle Control and Cleansing. Tel: 234 4914

Local Helplines:
Smoking Cessation
North Manchester General Hospital 795 4567 ext. 3846

Alcoholism
Alcoholics Anonymous: 236 6569
Alcohol & Drugs Service: 834 9777

Drugs
Lifeline: 839 2054

Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous: 976 5000

Food
Eating Disorder Association: 0181 959 2330

Sex
Psychosexual therapy: Relate: 872 0303