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 Triad President Pearl Mullett, left, Orella Robare, Peg Roberts and Vivian Mould, demonstrate appropriate containers for disposing of sharps. Seniors can get the containers at the Senior Center or at the North Adams Police Department.
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North Adams Triad Offers Safe Disposal of SharpsLt. David Sacco
North Adams Police
06:06PM / Wednesday, October 19, 2011
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Triad has launched its sharps container exchange program at the September meeting.
The program expands on the prescription drug drop-off service located at the North Adams Police Department that has been a great success. Triad is offering to seniors a means to use proper containers dispose of any needles used for personal use.
Many people dispose of these single-use needles by placing them in coffee cans or plastic detergent bottles. The covers on the cans, or the container themselves are not thick enough to prevent any uncovered needles from sticking through the container. The containers being offered through Triad meet the standards for safe disposal.
The idea for the program began a few years ago. Triad , a collaboration of area seniors, local police and county sheriff and district attorney's offices, learned that there was a law in the works that would prohibit the disposal of any sharps in household trash. The law was being developed to ensure the proper disposal of the waste and to protect anyone handling the trash from being exposed to needle sticks.
The group was concerned that this would be an added burden on seniors and worked on a solution. With the help of Allied Waste Services, Triad purchased its first 100 containers. While the law is not yet in effect, the North Adams Triad wanted to stay ahead of the curve.
Any senior citizen who does not have the means to purchase containers can obtain one at the Mary Spitzer Senior Center on Ashland Street or at the North Adams Police Department.
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Tags: senior citizens, TRIAD,
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