A campaign to encourage drugs users to discard their needles properly is being stepped up by the Lincolnshire Echo.

Cases of children pricking themselves on needles left in litter bins have highlighted the dangers in Lincoln.

When people visit the city to see the historic castle and cathedral, they don’t realise that it also has a drug problem, one of the victims’ mums has claimed.

In response to the risk, the Echo has published a ten-point checklist on what to do if you find a hypodermic needle, or get pricked by one. There is also a Needle Hotline, supported by the Echo, for advice.

The latest alert was reported across the paper’s front page and happened when a four-year-old boy picked up a needle sticking out of a bin and caught himself on it.

His mum took him and the needle to hospital, where tests were carried out. The boy was given a hepatitis jab and will have to return in a month for another blood test, followed by further jabs in February and August next year, and more tests.

The Echo has recently revealed that nine reports of discarded needles are made to Lincoln City Council every month.

It has examined needle exchange schemes, the role of the Drugs Action Team, and the clinical help available to drug users, on its pages as part of the awareness campaign.

Do you have a story for us?
Ring the HoldTheFrontPage newsdesk on
01332 291111 x6022, or to e-mail us now – click here