NEEDLE PICKUP

FOUND A NEEDLE?

ARHCES IS HERE TO HELP

HOTLINE: 403-332-0722

9:00am-9:00pm Monday to Friday

8:30am-4:30pm Saturday to Sunday

Call the ARCHES hotline and an ARCHES staff member will arrive within the hour to pick up the needle. For priority calls an ARCHES staff member will pick up as soon as possible. Priority calls include playgrounds, schools, and daycares.

Be ready to tell us

  • Full address
  • A description of where the needle is located
  • Your name and a call back number
  • The number of needles, and any other drug paraphernalia

The more detailed your message, the faster we can find it

WHAT IF YOU FIND A NEEDLE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOTLINE HOURS OF OPERATION?

I am not comfortable picking it up, or I am unequipped to pick it up, but I want Lethbridge to be clean and safe:

  • Mark the location of the needle with a safe object
  • Leave a message on the needle hotline number (include location, landmark, and your name/number)
  • ARCHES staff will respond as soon as we are available

I am willing and equipped to pick up the needle:

  • You will require gloves, tongs or pliers, and a hard sharps container (ex. a strong plastic bottle such as a bleach container or a plastic jar with a lid).
  • Put on latex, rubber or leather gloves. Use tongs or pliers to carefully pick up the needle with the tip pointed away from you.
  • Make sure the sharps container (strong plastic bottle, etc.) is on a stable surface (do not hold it while putting the needle inside) and put the needle, tip down, into the container and close the lid.
  • DO NOT place the container in garbage.
  • Call the ARCHES Needle Pickup Hotline at 403-332-0722.
  • When you’re finished, wash your hands, and/or use hand sanitizer.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A NEEDLESTICK INJURY

WHERE ARE NEEDLE DROP BOXES FOUND?

Needle Disposal Boxes are painted yellow and have a single round opening on the side for the collecting of used needles.