Needle Clean-Up Kit, disposal program expands (05/02/2018 North County Outlook article)

Since rolling out the free needle clean-up kit program in September 2017, over 800 kits have been distributed by the Snohomish Health District. These kits have ensured the safe and proper disposal of more than 10,000 syringes. Starting April 25 — and as a result of Opioid Response Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Group efforts — the program has expanded to make it simpler and safer for residents and business owners to clean up and dispose of needles found in the community.

The kits include a sharps container, heavy-duty gloves, safety glasses, tongs, hand sanitizer and simple instructions for safe collection. There are now 11 locations where free clean-up kits can be picked up during normal business hours, including a couple of local locations at:

•Arlington Police Department, located at 110 E. Third Street in Arlington.

•Sheriff’s Office North Precinct, located at 15100 40th Avenue Northeast in Marysville.

•Snohomish Health District, located at 3020 Rucker Avenue, Suite 104 in Everett.

Previously, the Snohomish Health District was the only location accepting returned clean-up kits for free disposal. Beginning April 22, through a partnership with Snohomish County’s Solid Waste Division, approved sharps containers with the Snohomish Overdose Prevention stickers can be returned during normal business hours to a variety of locations including the North County Recycling & Transfer Station, located at 19600 63rd Avenue Northeast in Arlington

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