Grand Forks Public Health has announced a new location for the community to drop off medical sharps, such as needles, which are hazardous waste that cannot be thrown away with normal trash. The new drop-off at the Grand Forks Withdrawal Management Center will help prevent future hazards by keeping the sharps out of the trash. This initiative is an extension of the work to reduce hepatitis and other bloodborne pathogens in the community.
According to Michael Dulitz, opioid response coordinator for Grand Forks Public Health, the new drop-off location will help reduce the risk and provide a safer way to dispose of sharps. To drop off the sharps, they must be in a sturdy plastic container, and containers in quart or gallon sizes can be purchased at Inspire Pharmacy for less than $3. The pharmacy is conveniently located around the block from the sharps disposal site at 360 Division Ave. #100.
The drop-off location is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for containers of sharps under five quarts. Larger quantities can be given to the withdrawal management center staff between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. However, sharps generated by commercial entities are not accepted at this drop-off location. It replaces the Altru Hospital drop-off, which is currently closed due to construction. The new program is supported by Grand Forks Public Health, Altru, Inspire Pharmacy, and Spectra Health.
In conclusion, the initiative aims to provide a safer and more convenient way for the community to dispose of sharps and prevent future hazards. This new drop-off location is a step forward in the effort to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogens and enhance public health and safety in the area.