Published: 19 October 2005
Drug Related Litter
<font color=darkgreen>New guidance and best practice on tackling drug related litter</font> - such as discarded needles and syringes - has been published by Defra.
The guidance launched at the National Conference on Injecting Drug Use, highlights how local authorities, drug action teams, crime and disorder reduction partnerships and other key organisations around the country can work together to reduce and better manage drug related litter.
Local Environmental Quality Minister, Ben Bradshaw, highlighted his concern about the impact of this type of litter on communities:
"Thankfully, drug related litter does not affect all of our communities, yet where it occurs, drug related litter will often generate fear, anger, disgust and frustration.
Not only does drug litter create a very real fear of infection and disease, it also acts as a stark reminder of the wider harm caused by the misuse of drugs.
By tackling local environmental issues, such as discarded needles, we know that people will feel safer in their community and will enjoy a better quality of life."
The guidance has been produced in close liaison with the Home Office, ODPM and Department of Health, as well as the National Treatment Agency, Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and the Local Government Association.
Alan Woods, Chief Executive of Keep Britain Tidy said:
"All of our research has shown that while more drugs needles are being found than ever before, we are recognising, reporting and removing them far more effectively.
For that to continue and for us to avoid needlestick injuries, we need to work together to make ignorance of the drugs-litter problem a thing of the past.
Keep Britain Tidy is doing that by sending posters and information to thousands of schools.
And the Government is clearly playing its part too - by publishing this much-needed guidance."
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