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Medicine and More Owner and Pharmacist, Eric Everman, graciously
provided Darke County Sheriff
Deputies with sharps containers for their
cruisers. Pictured from L to R are: Chief Deputy
Mark Whitaker, Eric
Everman, Deputy Mark Garbig, and Deputy Matthew Prickett.
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Deputies receive
Sharps containers
Deputies say the discovery of improperly discarded needles has risen
dramatically in recent years as intravenous drug use has increased.
It’s a major problem for officers who have to search drug users and the
hiding places in their cars and homes.
Last year, Trash Bash 2014 volunteers discovered approximately nine
used syringes/needles throughout Darke County roadways during the
two-day event. Offenders often toss out used syringes and needles
to prevent being caught in possession of drug paraphernalia while
traveling in their vehicles.
As a result of last years needle recoveries the Darke County Sheriff’s
Office asked Darke County Solid Waste District for assistance in
obtaining proper sharps containers. Solid Waste District Director
Krista Fourman coordinated the request. To help assist deputies,
Medicine and More Pharmacy in Greenville has provided special sharps
containers to be placed in every road cruiser. This will provide
for safe disposal of syringes and needles that are found or turned into
deputies while on patrol. Darke County Sheriff Toby L. Spencer
expresses his gratitude to the Darke County Solid Waste District and
Medicine and More for providing these safe receptacles.
Intravenous drug users liquefy the drug and inject it, then frequently
discard the syringe and hypodermic needle improperly. Viruses can live
on the device and can infect someone trying to clean up the litter if
they are pricked by the needle. Syringes and needles are being found
with increasing frequency on streets, sidewalks, yards, parks, and
parking lots. It is important for citizens to be aware that exposure to
communicable diseases can occur through the improper handling of
discarded drug abuse instruments.
Syringes and needles are particularly dangerous around small children
because the bright orange caps can be mistaken for darts or other
toys. The public is urged not to touch improperly disposed of
syringes or any other potential drug-related paraphernalia and to call
the Darke County Sheriff’s Office at 937-548-3399 or the Greenville
Police Department at 937-548-1103.
Disposing of Syringes/Needles
Rumpke accepts “sharps” – or needles – but urges proper disposal.
• Drop needles into a rigid plastic container, such as a laundry
detergent bottle; no water bottles.
• Seal the cap with thick tape and write “sharps” on the container.
• Drop the sealed container into your regular trash can.
• Do not put containers in with recycling.
For more information on the proper disposal of hard to dispose of
items, contact the Darke County Solid Waste District at 937-547-0827.
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