Thursday, March 28, 2024

Victoria police issue public warning after man injured by hidden syringe

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Police are warning the public after a man was poked by a syringe located inside a hollow fence post.

Officers were called to the 700-block of Yates Street for a report of a man being injured. Upon examination, the officers found that the syringe was wedged inside the post in a way that could harm someone who inserted their fingers into the space.

The man was offered medical attention and will follow up with medical support to determine the extent of his injuries, but police consider the injuries to be non-life-threatening at this time.

Police said they have received a number of similar reports over the last year, and advised people to be cautious of where they’re putting their hands and fingers.

If you have any information about this incident, you are asked to call VicPD’s non-emergency line at 250-995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

What to do if you find a discarded needle

If you find a discarded needle, you can either dispose of it yourself or call for help. You can call the Society of Living Illicit Drug Users (SOLID) at 250-298-9497, or the DVBA Clean Team at 250-386-2238.

SOLID offers these steps on how to properly dispose of a needle yourself:

  1. Use a pair of tongs, pliers or tweezers to pick up the needle. It is best to wear rubber gloves.
  2. Pick the needle up by pointing the needle tip down and away from you.
  3. Put the needle in a container that has been placed on a stable surface. A sharps container, bleach container, or plastic peanut butter jar work well. You should not use a glass jar, light plastic container, or a milk carton, as they could break or needles could poke through.
  4. Do not try to put the cap back on the needle.
  5. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
  6. Take the container to a pharmacy or to SOLID.

If you are poked by a needle:

  1. Wash the affected body part with soap and water.
  2. Disinfect with an alcohol swab.
  3. Apply a band aid.
  4. Call the VIHA Communicable Disease Program (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 1-866-665-6626 or go to the emergency room for assessment.
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Myles Sauer
Former staff editor and writer at Victoria Buzz.

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