Several entities in Pulaski County have teamed up to provide residents with a safe and smart way to dispose of used hypodermic needles.
The Pulaski County Drug-Free Council, the Local Coordinating Council (LCC) for the county, has partnered with the Pulaski County Health Department, Community Foundation of Pulaski County, and several local elected officials, health care providers, and others to install the county’s first drop-off kiosks designed to safely dispose of hypodermic needles.
The “Prevent Pricks” program is designed to be inclusive of all syringe using residents, specifically those with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, and others who use sharps to treat various medical conditions, including people who utilize illicit drugs.
With the new kiosks installed as part of the “Prevent Pricks” program, town and county workers run less of a risk of being stuck by syringes – workers can now simply unlock the kiosk, pull out the plastic bin, seal it with a locking top, and take it in for proper disposal.
By properly disposing of used syringes, Pulaski County will decrease residential exposure to Hepatitis A, B, C, HIV/AIDS, and MRSA. The kiosks also serve diabetics who use syringes and need a place to safely dispose of them.
The kiosks will be located at the White Post Volunteer Fire Department along the National Street entrance, in Monterey at the front entrance to the Health Clinic at 6194 E. Main Street, and at the front entrance to Pulaski Memorial Hospital in Winamac.
The public is invited to the installation of the Medaryville kiosk, at the White Post Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, October 14, at noon ET. Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held on September 26 and 30 for the Pulaski Memorial Hospital and Monterey Health Clinic kiosks, respectively.
The program will continue to be developed by participating partners and it will be funded by the national opioid settlement funds, as approved by the Joint Council Session on February 13.
