Experts tackling Dundee’s drug problem want more information about where needles are discarded throughout the city.
The number of victims of needle injuries often children who come to grief while playing has sparked public outrage especially in the affected communities.
The problem resurfaced only last month when a young girl suffered a needlestick injury in Ardler. Two days later in the same spot medicine bottles, syringes, spoon packs and empty syringe wrappers were found.
Louise Kerr, whose 10-year-old daughter Tia, sustained the needle wound, said: “They don’t care if they’re putting children at risk, be it their own, or anyone else’s. If they have a drug addiction that’s their problem, but they can’t put other people’s lives at risk.”
Ward councillor Ian Borthwick said the problem has blighted his and many other parts of Dundee for many years.
He raised the matter with Ken Laing, the council’s director of environment, explaining that it “causes acute anxiety to parents and others, and I know from personal experience of dealing with this in my area.”
He asked if additional measures can be considered to combat the problem which he believed requires urgent attention.
In reply Mr Laing said a range of measures is in place to deal with the reporting and disposal of discarded needles and other drug paraphernalia.
There was no complacency, however, and he explained the former drug-related litter working group had been reconvened through the community safety partnership to review the issue and seek improvements.
At its first meeting the needle group had scoped the current position created by the estimated 3,750 drug users in Dundee.
It was reported that peer recovery and incentive schemes for returning needles are being trialled with positive results.
The sharing of information with pharmacists about the location of used needle finds has not happened for some time, however, and this arrangement should be reinstated.
The group were to check that all relevant agencies are passing on information about needle finds. This includes checking that details held by the environment department are collated and submitted for analysis.