Hempstead Installs Needle Disposals In Town Hall

The Town of Hempstead has added deposit boxes for the safe disposal of needles and syringes to Town Hall.

Hempstead Town employees have reported finding and handling multiple discarded needles and syringes over the past few months. In total, 30 boxes will be installed inside Hempstead Town Hall. In 2018, over 110,000 visitors passed through the building's doors.

“Protecting visitors and employees is of the utmost importance, which is why we are proud to work with Northwell Health as we raise awareness of the need for proper and safe needle disposal outside of traditional healthcare facilities,” said Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen. “As the largest township in America, we have a responsibility to help protect public health and promote safety whenever possible.”

Needle disposals, or sharps boxes, are containers that allow people to safely discard needles, syringes and lancets that might otherwise pierce a trash bag and stab workers. These containers are effective in reducing needle stick injuries and infections brought on by the opioid crisis and different types of self-injected medications commonly used for treating a wide range of conditions, such as allergies, migraines, cancer, osteoporosis, kidney diseases, hepatitis and infertility.

“As the largest health care system in New York State, Northwell Health is proud to work with the Town of Hempstead to address a public health crisis that is impacting our families, friends and the greater community,” said Heather Hugelmeyer, program director of the Garden City Treatment Center.

Officials will also examine expanding the program to strategic locations at highly trafficked parks and beaches this summer.

This is not the only addition Hempstead Town has made to its buildings recently. In late December, the town announced that it was creating nursing rooms in three buildings for breastfeeding mothers.

“This initiative will undoubtedly help keep our residents and workers safe while ensuring that the beauty of our parks, beaches and waterways are preserved,” said Gillen.

Photo courtesy Town of Hempstead