There is a big push underway for mandatory sharps training for all City of Windsor employees.
Blackburn News has learned that the drug needle problem is driving the effort.
Cindy Newman works downtown, and said she is concerned and frustrated because she has found used needles in parkettes and other areas downtown during her lunch hour. Newman fears someone could get seriously hurt.
"An animal could have stepped on that, a kid could have played in that area and stepped on it, I could have leaned back on it," Newman said.
Newman said dirty drug needles that are improperly discarded are a serious safety concern for everyone.
"Keep your eyes open because you're not always going to see that bright orange cap, and you may not see that cap at all," she added.
Newman is urging those who inject drugs to discard their dirty needles in the yellow needle disposal bins around the city.
"We can appreciate the boxes that have been put up throughout the city, but if they're not being used, then it's just a waste of money," said Newman.
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit is working on an application for a safe injection site after a recent survey showed 61 per cent of the 2,500 respondents support one.
To learn about what to do when a dirty drug needle is found click here.
