Used needle thrown into backyard 'horrifies' Karratha mother
In short:
A Karratha mother is in disbelief after reviewing her security cameras to see a man throw a used needle into her backyard.
Locals have been calling for more to be done after anecdotal reports of an increase in used needles being discarded in public places.
What next?
Another local mother, Quinn Anderson, is petitioning WA's parliament for more transparency on needle use and programs.
A mother has been left in disbelief after a needle she believes was used to inject drugs was thrown into her backyard, where her toddler loves to play.
Sherry Johnstone was enjoying a night out with friends when she got an alert from her security camera system in Karratha, 1,530 kilometres north of Perth.
"[I] didn't think much of it and I kind of ignored the first notification," Ms Johnstone said.
"I checked again and [saw] that he had a needle in his mouth, like as if he was about to shoot himself up."
Karratha mother Sherry Johnstone was "horrified" to see the needle thrown into her backyard.(ABC Pilbara: Kimberley Putland)
Ms Johnstone said the man moved further into her driveway, out of range of her cameras, before reappearing.
"He'd taken four steps away from the two wheelie bins that he was up against [and] thrown a used needle — there's no cap on it — straight over into the leaves," she said.
Ms Johnstone was "horrified" to see the needle thrown into her backyard where her two-year-old child plays.
Sherry's two-year-old, Billy, loves playing in the backyard.(ABC Pilbara: Kimberley Putland)
"It's just heartbreaking that someone would even consider doing that when there's kids' stuff around,"she said.
"He would have seen that there are child things in my driveway."
Bringing needles to the limelight
Quinn Anderson is a local Karratha mother driving change for her community.
She launched a petition calling for funding support for regional towns, more addiction support and services, a unified state-wide reporting system, and the implementation of a needle and syringe exchange program (NSEP) which Karratha does not have.
The petition closed earlier this month, receiving nearly 900 signatures.
Ms Anderson said the problem was not isolated to just Karratha.
"People from all across the state reached out to me," Ms Anderson said.
"I've had a parent in Kalgoorlie call me saying that they have had a new skate park built, but no one wants to use it because of all the used needles there.
Quinn Anderson has urged the state government to be more transparent about needle use numbers.(ABC News: Charlie McLean)
"I've also had other parents reach out to me from Broome, Tom Price, Carnarvon, all suffering the same problems.
"I believe it is getting worse, but I also believe it's been around a while."
Information Ms Anderson requested from WA Country Health Service showed that, to date, more than 70,000 needles were given out from Karratha Health Campus between January and August this year.
"I guess all we're hoping for is for the government to see that there is a big gap in the system," she said.
"They're putting the needles in their hands and wiping their hands clean [of their disposal] and going 'not our problem'."
Ms Johnstone found the needle and placed it in a container.(ABC Pilbara: Kimberley Putland)
The City of Karratha was supportive of Ms Anderson and said it had taken steps to reduce discarded needles in public through a playground renewal program.
"From now on we're taking the sand out," said City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott.
"We're putting in Softfall to make sure that our playgrounds in town don't have the ability to have abandoned used needles in the sand."
The City of Karratha maintains 23 sharps disposal units across the local government area, many of which are in toilet blocks at public parks and ovals, and has a reporting portal online.
Needle programs necessary
Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (NDRI) at Curtin University, Paul Dietze, said needle and syringe programs played an important role in minimising disposal risks.
"One of the key things if people access needles and syringes through needle and syringe programs is that it allows the development of rapport between the client and the service provider," Professor Dietze said.
"They have the opportunity for education about the importance of appropriate disposal."
Residents have reported an increase of needles discarded in public places.(ABC Pilbara: Mietta Adams)
Ms Johnstone wants to see more needle bins and support for both drug users and community members affected.
"I don't know if they need that kind of support — places and safe places they can go, definitely not near playgrounds and people's homes," she said.
People who find needles are urged to report them to local government or dispose of them safely in a puncture-resistant container.