Be vigilant over dumped needles, says councillor
People are being warned to stay vigilant after bags of used needles were found on a building site in Oban.
Construction workers on a site belonging to Argyll Community Housing Association (ACHA) in Glenshellach have twice found needles dumped in black bin liners.
Each time police were informed and the needles were safely removed by the council, but the shocking finds have worried people living nearby.
Now Councillor Jim Lynch is urging people to be on their guard and he wants parents to warn their children not to pick up any they might come across while out playing.
He said: ‘It’s a timely reminder to the town that we have a drugs problem. People have to be vigilant.
‘We need to find out if there are any other areas where drugs paraphernalia are being dumped. It’s a worry but we have to accept it could be happening.
‘We especially have to make sure children don’t pick up anything that they find. It beggars belief that someone would dump needles like that, but it could happen again.
‘We need to thank the diligent workers who brought it to our attention. It must have been very scary.’
Seagulls tore into the first bag containing around 20 needles, scattering the contents about. A second bag, discovered at the same spot, contained 12 to 15 needles.
Alastair MacGregor, chief executive of Argyll Community Housing Association, shares the concerns.
He said: ‘The association is obviously concerned from a public health point of view that used needles would be disposed of in such a manner.
‘I understand that MacLeod Construction, who are building on the site, contacted the police and environmental health and the needles were safely removed.
‘I would encourage any member of the public who
comes across used needles to contact environmental health at Argyll and Bute Council immediately.’
Jane MacLeod, from MacLeod Construction, told The Oban Times: ‘The site is secure but, with the best will in the world, if people are going to throw bags in, they’re going to throw them in.’
Inspector Mark Stephen of Oban police said whoever dumped the bags was likely to be leading a chaotic lifestyle.
‘There’s no excuse to dump the needles like rubbish. It was done with utter disregard for the safety of others,’ he said.
Tackling drugs is flagged up by the community as an ongoing policing priority, added Inspector Stephen.
Police are working not only to prevent supplies coming into Oban but also to work with partner agencies, helping users turn their lives around.
‘My job is to make sure we intercept drugs and prevent supply but solving the drugs problem can’t be done by the police, the NHS or other groups individually. We all need to work together and that is what is happening.
‘Because of this partnership, we already know what the drug problem is in Oban. If there’s a drug available in Glasgow, it could be available here – Class A to Class C, Valium to heroin. It’s just a bus or train ride away and that’s the reality we are well aware of and are acting on. Tackling drugs is a priority for us and is constantly flagged up by the community.’
Drugs awareness workshops are going in to schools to warn young people of dangers.
And Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership says its trained staff are carrying out ‘a considerable amount of work in the Oban area’ in partnership with both the Argyll and Bute Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) and the Health and Wellbeing Network (HWN).
Services being provided include opiate replacement therapy, blood-borne virus testing and wound care advice.
A needle exchange is at the Market Street Centre or Boots Pharmacy.
Anyone finding a discarded syringe or needle in a public place should not pick it up but should alert Argyll and Bute Council’s roads and amenities department on 01546 605522.
People worried about their own or someone else’s drug use can get help at argylland buteadp.info