Held Hostage by Heroin: Community sharps disposal
For Hub City Times
In an effort to prevent needle-stick injury and spread of infectious disease, the Marshfield Police Department installed a sharps disposal receptacle with support from Marshfield Clinic and Marshfield Area Coalition for Youth. Treehouse Wood Creations’ Travis Esser, who is a patrol lieutenant at Marshfield Police Department, designed and built a wooden cabinet for use as a safe, puncture-resistant container. Drop off needles, syringes, lancets, auto injectors, infusion sets, and connection needles/sets from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Marshfield Police Department.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, used needles and other sharps are dangerous if not disposed of safely because they can cause injury and spread infections that lead to serious health conditions like Hepatitis C or HIV. Used sharps should be immediately placed in an FDA-cleared sharps or a heavy-duty plastic household container, a laundry detergent bottle for example.
After your home or travel sharps container is full, bring it to the sharps collection container at the Marshfield Police Department or the local hospital disposals located by the gift shop and the emergency room entryway.
Ask Marshfield Police Department
Question: What should I do if a needle or other sharps are found on the street or in another public place?
Answer: If you find a needle or other sharps, call the Marshfield Police Department’s nonemergency dispatch center at 715-387-4394, and give your location to ensure safe disposal. Do not attempt to dispose of an item that does not belong to you as there are several consequences both health-related and legal, such as if a sharp contains drug residue.
Schedule a MACY Drug Task Force presentation or submit “Ask Marshfield Police Department” questions to the Marshfield Clinic Center for Community Outreach at 715-221-8400 or [email protected].
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