HEALTH authorities have denied discarded syringes found at the adventure playground are related to services they provide for methadone users.
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But they have admitted they rely on users of their separate needle and syringe program to “do the right thing”.
The statement came after a local woman, who did not want to be named, found drug paraphernalia and bloody tissues in the playground toilets on Monday.
“I just wanted to warn other parents in case they sent their kids in alone to use the toilet,” the woman said.
“You wouldn’t want them stepping on a needle or picking one up.”
The story prompted an angry reaction from Advocate readers, many of whom took to Facebook to vent their concerns.
“Shame on these filthy animals leaving syringes. What can you expect when [the] hospital drug clinic is across the road,” Jodie Carter posted to the Advocate’s Facebook page.
“This has been an issue I believe before. It is a problem in lots of places, it’s dreadful and we have to be so, so vigilant these days for dangers everywhere,” Suzie McFarlane posted.
In a written statement, the Western NSW Local Health District responded to readers’ comments and concerns.
“The needles found in the Bathurst playground are not used for methadone injection,” HIV and Related Programs manager Angela Parker said.
“Clients on the Methadone Program don’t inject the solution as methadone is consumed orally.
“The Chifley Clinic at Bathurst only provides direct dosing for clients on site and it is not taken away.”
Ms Parker also addressed readers’ concerns over the needle and syringe program run from the Bathurst Community Mental Health Clinic.
“Clients of the service are encouraged to inject at a safe and secure, private location (e.g. home),” she wrote in the statement.
“All clients are advised, in the interest of community safety, to dispose appropriately of all used equipment.
“A variety of safe disposal messages are rotated onto the fit packs, and are displayed on vending machines throughout the area.”
Ms Parker said the health district also proactively promotes and educates the community about safe sharps disposal on a regular basis.
“While all efforts are made to educate clients regarding appropriate disposal of sharps, we rely on each individual to do the right thing,” she said.
Anyone who finds a needle in a public place should call the Needle Clean-up Hotline on 1800 633 353.
