Syringe sale fears
FAMILIES say they are worried a needle vending machine near a primary school could expose their children to harm.
Bridgewater locals say kids could buy needles or suffer injuries from discarded syringes. Health Minister Sarah Courtney is seeking advice.
A VENDING machine that sells clean needles for drug addicts to shoot up has been installed about 50m from a primary school in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
Concerns have been raised about children potentially purchasing needles from the machine, which is across the road from East Derwent Primary School.
There are also fears discarded syringes will be left on or near school grounds.
One grandparent said needles had been found previously at the kindergarten.
Following questions from the Mercury, Health Minister Sarah Courtney said she had sought urgent advice from the department on the appropriateness of the location.
“Public Health Services is responsible for administering the Needle and Syringe Program, which has been operating for a number of years,” she said.
“I have sought urgent advice from the department about the evidence that is used to inform outlet locations, and if this location is appropriate.”
The Bridgewater Community Centre has operated a needle exchange program during business hours for some time but it’s understood the vending machine has only recently been installed.
Centre manager Chelsea Barnes directed inquiries to the Department of Health and Human Services.
It costs $2 to purchase clean needles from the machine.
Grandparent Shannon Ridgeway said it “flabbergasted” her why the machine was installed so close to the school.
She has three grandchildren who attend the school and another eight living nearby.
“I don’t understand why they bloody well need it,” Ms Ridgeway said. “It says drugs are OK, we accept them.”
A Health Department spokesman said there were seven needle vending machines used across Tasmania.
He said Bridgewater Community Centre staff monitored the machine and performed regular sweeps of the surrounding area to ensure there were no unsafely disposed of needles.