You are here: Home / Media / Needle Stick Issues in Caroline Street

Needle Stick Issues in Caroline Street

Some residents in Caroline Lawson and surrounding area received a letter from a Caroline Street resident in early December who had received a needle stick injury from a needle over their back fence. The resident was concerned at the response from the needle Van and Council and wrote to surrounding residents. Below is an extract from their letter and a copy of a reply from council to the issues raised.

Extract from Residents Letter:

 

Dear Neighbours, 

I am a resident of Caroline Street, Redfern and are writing to advise you of the imminent danger to yourselves and other who may visit you including children and family members or friends. 

On Tuesday morning the 1 December 2009 whilst in my back garden I received a needle stick injury. 

Numerous used syringes and other items are frequently throw over my fence, left an the ground or deliberately lodged between the fence and road curb. I have always been careful and reported this one more than one occasion to the council and the source of the needles - the needle van which parks near by and the proliferation of drug dealing and casual disregard to others safety or basic hygiene. 

Given the frequent IV drug use and high turn aver of syringes I was concerned for my health and went to the needle van for assistance. The response was minimal. No concern was demonstrated or follow up. 

I attended a hospital, spending five hours there and received treatment for tetanus hepatitis and a months medication to help guard against HIV. The medication has nasty side affects. The experience has been traumatic. 

The councils response is that the risk of infection is low. The council was aware the needle bin behind our houses in Caroline lane was broken and had been for some time. Today, I notice a shiny new bin has been installed. This response is inadequate. 

Given the prolific distribution of syringes freely provided to the area and the established high IV drug use and associated behaviours the risk is real and ongoing.

This situation could happen to you or others you care about. l urge you to ensure that your vaccinations are current and that you are aware of how to treat a needle stick injury. 

Neither the council or needle service provides assistance in the safe removal of syringes or other items such as used spoons, water bottles, swaps etc from residential property.  

The providers of the syringes and council need to take responsibility and address the situation to remove the risk. I am sure they would not like it in their back yard. 

Reply from Council on Needle Stick Injury and Sharps Management

 

I refer to your email regarding the correspondence you received from a resident of Caroline Lane in relation to a needle stick injury incurred by them from a needle that was disposed of on their property.

I am concerned about the injury. The City's Syringe Management Plan Project Coordinator, Rebecca Martin, who was contacted directly by the resident, has advised her of the local health services to support her through this difficult time. 

The City works with NSW Health and the community to manage sharps waste that is inappropriately disposed of in the public domain and on private property. In response to the concerns raised by the resident, City staff have reported the incident to the Director of Drug Health Services, Sydney South West Area Health Services {SSWAHS}. I understand that a representative from their local primary needle and syringe program, REPIDU, has now contacted the resident involved to discuss the incident. 

The City provides the stainless steel community sharps bin cabinets in Caroline Lane, Redfern, and those bins are serviced and maintained by SSWAHS. Caroline Lane is patrolled twice per day by the SSWAHS clinical waste contractor to retrieve any inappropriately disposed needles and syringes in accessible public places. If these patrols are not occurring residents should contact Lisa O'Brien, Manager, REPIDU on 9699 6188. 

The City received a report that the community sharps bin had been removed on Monday 23 November and organised for a replacement. Reinstallation scheduled for the following day was delayed due to wet weather however the SSWAHS contractor installed a temporary bin which was also removed. I am advised that a new community sharps bin is now installed as of Thursday 26 November. 

The City does not have the capacity to retrieve discarded sharps from private property however REPIDU can provide advice to local residents regarding the management of discarded sharps on private property as well as assist in providing appropriate disposal equipment. 

Should you wish to speak with a Council officer about sharps management, please contact Rebecca Martin, Project Coordinator, Safe City on 9285 9333 or at remartin@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au . 

Gary Harding Acting Chief Executive  Officer – City of Sydney  

[The RWA have advised that as of 16 December 2009 the Needle Bus previously located on the Block has been relocated to Hudson Street – REDWatch]