MEDIA RELEASE

The County of Hawai’i is asking the public to report discarded syringes or needles to the Hawai’i Police Department, while avoiding touching or handling the hazardous waste items.

An on-line form to report discarded syringes and needles has been created, to facilitate safe retrieval. The form is posted on the County’s website at: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/report-discarded-syringes

The form is simple to fill out. People who find syringes or needles give the location and time of discovery. Information as to the person’s name and phone number is optional.

People who find syringes or needles may also call the Police non-emergency number at 935-3311 to report.

No one besides trained staff should touch or handle this hazardous waste, which could be drug-laced or infected.

The County is also developing a program involving the installation of “amnesty sharps disposal bins,” which are tamper-proof boxes for the disposal of syringes or needles.

The bins will be installed at public restrooms at parks and other facilities, similar to the receptacles found at airports in Hawai’i where contraband fruit or meat can be disposed of without penalty.

For further information, please call Leilani Maxera of the CHOW Project at 808-852-3273.