With You offer needle exchange facilities to prevent discarded needles, however some users persistently dispose of used needles without thought of the consequences of their actions.

For more information on needle exchange contact With You on 0333 2000 325

If you find discarded needles do not handle them and report the location to Cornwall Council Customer Services on:

Tel: 0300 1234 141

Email: [email protected]

It is theoretically possible that blood borne diseases could be transmitted to you by inadvertently receiving a needle stick injury, when, for example; handling refuse or piles of leaves in areas open to the public. This can also include private areas open to the public such as behind front low garden walls. In the unlikely event that you receive a needle stick injury from a discarded needle, you should see your Doctor as soon as possible for advice.

Cornwall Council offer a clinical waste collection service which can be found here.

Syringes may also be found amongst flytipped rubbish, and this be reported here.

Cornwall Council receives regular reports of discarded needles throughout Cornwall, and has an effective system for the swift removal and disposal of this hazardous waste.

However, Safer Cornwall has additionally taken the opportunity to gather the data on the needle finds and use it to help address the root problem.

The locations of needle finds are used in two main areas:

1) To provide D&C police with the data, where relevant, to help inform the drug intelligence picture. This enables targeted intervention work on  the supply and use of illegal drugs.

 2) To provide With You with information of increased injecting use in particular geographic areas. This helps to ensure support services for  drug users are in place, and in some circumstances where the needles identify possible users, to advise them on their safe disposal.

More advice on drugs available here