DISPOSING NEEDLES SAFELY

If you find discarded needles, broken glass pipes, or other sharp materials in a publicplace, you can help
your community stay safe by calling your local public health unit to find your Community Harm Reduction
Distribution Program to arrange collection.
Or, follow these steps to dispose of them safely:

F ind a rigid plastic container (e.g.

a pop bottle or liquid laundry bottle)

 lace the bottle on the ground near

P
item to be disposed of

 ont panic. The risk of infection (HIV,

D
Hepatitis B or C) is low.

 o not recap the syringe or break

D
off the needle

 ash the affected area immediately with

W
soap and warm water, do not squeeze.

Seek medical attention immediately.

 se gloves with tongs or pliers

U
to firmly grasp the plunger end
(the non-sharp end)

Use one hand and keep it in sight

 lways point the sharp end of the

A
needle down and away from you

Do not hold bottle in your hand

 ut the needle in sharp-end first

P
and tightly seal

 ispose of container or bring it to your

D
local pharmacy or public health unit


PUBLIC HEALTH UNIT

What if you have been poked, scratched,

or cut by used equipment?

 ash hands thoroughly with soap

W
and water afterwards

Who to call if you dont want to pick it up?

 all your local public health unit for the name
C
of a Community Harm Reduction Distribution
Program in your area:

Your Local Public Health Unit

Abbotsford
604-864-3400

Agassiz
604-793-7160

Burnaby
604-918-7605

Chilliwack
604-702-4900

Cloverdale, Surrey
604-575-5100

Guildford, Surrey
604-587-4750

Hope
604-860-7630

Langley
604-539-2900

Maple Ridge
604-476-7000

Mission
604-814-5500

New Westminster
604-777-6740

Newport, Port Moody

604-949-7200

Newton, Surrey
604-592-2000

North Delta
604-507-5400

North Surrey
604-587-7900

Port Coquitlam
604-777-8700

South Delta
604-952-3550

White Rock
604-542-4000