METHUEN --
Chief Joseph Solomon and the Methuen Police Department announce that community
members will now have access to a 24-hour kiosk, located in the station
lobby, to safely dispose of their medical syringes, sharps and
lancets.
In 2012,
Massachusetts banned the disposal of needles, syringes and lancets in
household trash. The new kiosk will give residents a convenient way to
remove used and unwanted sharps from their homes. The kiosk is
supplied and paid for by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health
(DPH).
"We
have identified the need for a safe space for residents to dispose of their
unwanted needles and sharps," Chief Solomon said. "We are
thankful to DPH for providing the kiosk, and encourage those in Methuen to
utilize it for their own safety, as well as the safety of their families
and households."
To properly
use the new kiosk, please follow the steps below:
1. Enter
police station lobby with your sharps. All sharps MUST be already be
in a safe sharps container or similar (one-gallon bleach bottle or sealed,
taped coffee can).
2. Slide
open the door on the top of the kiosk.
3. Place
your sharps container in the open space provided.
4. Slide the
kiosk door closed. Your container will drop into the kiosk storage space.
Please note:
If the indicator light on the top left of the kiosk is lit, and you are
unable to slide open the kiosk door, this means that the kiosk is full.
Please notify dispatch.
DPH and the
Methuen Police Department remind the community that the proper disposal of
sharps into the kiosk are as follows:
• DO
NOT put loose needles in the kiosk
• DO
NOT use a glass container or bag of any kind
• DO
NOT leave a container outside of the kiosk
• Always ask for assistance if the kiosk is full
Those who
would like to dispose of their medical syringes, sharps and lancets,
can visit the Methuen Police Station at the Quinn Public Safety Building,
90 Hampshire St., 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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