Parent's angery at syringe menace
2005-04-29The Northers Daily Leader
Matt Adams
Friday, 29 April 2005
POTENTIALLY deadly used syringes have been found dumped at soccer fields in Tamworth, just days out from the start of the new season.
Now families and children who use Federation Park have been warned to beware of the threat.
The danger call was sparked by a distressed mother, whose young son picked up a syringe while playing at the soccer fields. The woman, who did not want to be named, said there were "thousands" of needles scattered among the palm trees lining the soccer fields.
She said none of the needles had any protective caps on them and were strewn along the sidelines, where young children and families stand to watch.
"My son could have easily pricked himself," she said.
"There were thousands of needles strewn across the edge of the soccer fields without any protective caps on.
"I filled a nappy bag full of the used syringes and there were still lots more on the ground.
"With soccer starting soon that area will be swarming with young children and parents. It is a life-threatening situation that should have been avoided."
According to Tamworth Soccer and District secretary Jan Johnson the needles are frequently turning up around the outside of the soccer fields and in some circumstances on the playing fields.
She said it wasn't the first time the used needles had turned up at the soccer fields and it's prompted a warning to spectators, parents and young children to be aware of the danger when the local competition kicks off this weekend.
"We want to warn people coming down to the soccer this weekend of the danger and to keep a constant eye on young children," Mrs Johnson said.
"There were a number of times last season when we had to go down early to pick the used syringes up before anyone arrived for soccer. We'll have to do the same this weekend so no-one gets pricked."
Tamworth Regional Council waste horticulture and recreation manager Peter Resch said he had not been made aware of any needles dumped at the soccer fields recently, but regular patrols of the area were conducted by maintenance workers and any syringes found were disposed of appropriately.
Police said Federation Park was not considered a known haunt for drug users, but they urged anyone who found a used syringe not to pick it up and to contact Tamworth police station on 6768 2999.