Syringe disposal boxes arrive in Dover: Public health program begins
DOVER — Residents and visitors may notice green boxes around the city, the start of a new pilot project for syringe disposal.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital announced it has contributed funds to the Strafford County Public Health Network for the program.
The project will create an anonymous public sharps disposal program, with a goal of decreasing the amount of improperly disposed of needles and medical waste in the community by providing safe disposal units, according to the hospital's announcement.
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“This is a low-barrier, effective strategy to improve community health and safety,” said Ashley Wright, manager for the Strafford County Public Health Network, which is a program of Greater Seacoast Community Health. “We’re grateful to Wentworth-Douglass for supporting us in making an impact on public safety and public health by reducing harm and increasing access to disposal resources.”
Who is supporting the program and where are the syringe disposal boxes?
The collaboration also includes SOS Recovery Community Organization, the New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition, The Doorway operated by Wentworth-Douglass, and other community members and organizations. The effort was supported unanimously by the Dover City Council and builds upon existing programming and infrastructure already available in the Dover community, according to the hospital's announcement.
Syringe disposal boxes and resources are in place at Wentworth-Douglass, SOS Recovery, the Dover Public Library, and at various New Hampshire Harm Reduction Coalition "stops." The program will add more at several locations throughout the city.
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“We’re proud to work with Strafford County, and all our other community public health partners, on a simple project like this that can make a huge difference,” said Peter Fifield, substance use disorder program manager at Wentworth-Douglass’ Doorway location. “Sadly, substance misuse remains an epidemic in our region, so anything we can do to limit medical waste is very important from both a public health and quality of life perspective.”
For more information and supportive resources, visit: linktr.ee/doverdisposal
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Dover NH: syringe disposal program starts with green boxes
