Residents wondering about the best way to dispose of sharps now have an answer. On Thursday, the Henry & Stark County Health Departments announced that they have been awarded a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that would allow them to purchase and place collection kiosks in six communities in both Henry and Stark Counties.
Duane Stevens, health department public health administrator, said that the medical sharps- needles, syringes and lancets- pose a risk of injury for anyone who might come into contact with them.
“Large numbers of sharps are used and generated by individuals and in homes and residences each and every day. If sharps are not disposed of correctly, they can be a safety and health hazard to any children, adults or sanitation workers that may come in contact with them,” said Stevens.
Stevens said the Health Department is partnering with local law enforcement and county officials, and a pharmacy to locate convenient disposal sites for local residents to utilize.
Sites for the kiosks, five located in Henry County and one in Stark County, will be:
–First Choice Healthcare Kewanee Clinic, 110 N. Burr Blvd., Kewanee
–First Choice Healthcare Colona Clinic, 103 1st St., Colona
–First Choice Healthcare Toulon Clinic, 120 E. Court St., Toulon
–Geneseo Police Department, 119 S. Oakwood Ave., Geneseo
–Henry County Courthouse, 307 W. Center St., Cambridge
–Alpha Pharmacy, 211 S. 1st St., Alpha
The Health Department will also be working with local law enforcement agencies to conduct sharps collection drives at various times throughout the year for additional disposal opportunities.
“The Henry County Sheriff’s Department is pleased to work with the Health Department on this important initiative that provides community members with a safe, convenient and free way to dispose of used or unwanted needles, syringes and other medical sharps,” said Henry County Sheriff Josh Verscheure.
Stevens also said that in addition to the sharps collection kiosks and drives, the health department is working with the department’s Home Services clients that have sharps waste.
The grant will now cover the cost of placing sharps containers in clients’ homes and help to protect the safety of their clients, healthcare workers, and any guests coming into the home.
For more information on the programs and services available through the Henry & Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare call (309) 852-0197 or visit their website at www.henrystarkhealth.com or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments and follow them on Twitter.
