MA Firefighters Offering Safe Needle Disposal
May 08 -- FALL RIVER, MA -- Disposing of used needles just got easier and safer in the city.
Two fire stations, the Central Fire Station, 165 Bedford St., and the Globe Kosier Fire Station, 659 Globe St., are now equipped with disposal units to safely destroy used sharps.
Firefighter Cory Vieira at the Globe Station was trained to use the unit. He said it will help keep needles off the streets, and also assist residents in disposing of syringes and other sharps used at home for diabetes and other injectible medications.
"I think it's a new tool to benefit the community," Vieira said.
Disposing of needles and sharps in the trash can spread disease and pose a risk to sanitation workers, allow others to find and reuse the sharps, or pose a danger to children and animals who may come into contact with them in the trash.
Used syringes "over the past year are more of an issue at the park," Vieira said, referring to needles being found at Father Kelly Park across from the station.
Vieira said the station was already accepting used needles and syringes from residents, even though it didn't have a safe way to dispose of them on the premises.
"I never want to turn them away," Vieira said.
He said he's accepted them from people who use syringes at home to give their pets medication too.
The new Sterilis unit sterilizes the needles and then crushes them into small particles which can be thrown in the regular trash.
"It basically goes through a cycle where it melts it down," said Globe Station Chief Ambrose Smith. "I'd rather see this than needles strewn around."
Residents, when dropping off used needles, can pick up a free sharps container for the next time.
"It's extremely helpful," Vieira said.
A law was passed in Massachusetts in 2012 that prevents people from discarding sharps, like syringes, lancets, pen needles, wires, blades, needles, and other such items in the trash.
In years prior, patients, such as those with diabetes, simply dropped their sharps into an empty coffee can or laundry detergent container and popped it into the trash.
Since then, several agencies have begun accepting used sharps. Residents can also purchase appropriate containers in local drug stores and follow instructions to mail them to a disposal facility. Containers cost as little as a few dollars, and up to roughly $10, plus the price of mailing.
Sharps containers may be dropped off at any time to the Globe/Kosier and Central fire stations. Those dropping off may be asked to present proof of Fall River residency.
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