Headteacher ‘not told’ about addict’s needle exchange next to primary school

Needle with drop of bloodA Surbiton primary school head teacher was ‘not told’ about an addict’s needle exchange service set up next to his school. He complained that he was not “kept in the loop” about the needle exchange for drug addicts which was put next door to his new primary school.

At the same time, local councillors faced an onslaught of angry parents and teachers, who claimed the drug rehabilitation service at Surbiton Health Centre was deliberately kept secret.

Why should that be a problem?  It’s understandable that parents and teachers are concerned, but walking past an IV drug user as thy walk down the street is not a problem, and if that upsets the sensibilities then so what?  The risks of discarded needles is perhaps lessened rather than increased since the service will insist on recovering used needles before issuing new gear, thus reducing the risks of discarded used needles.

But schools seem to be particular targets for discarded drug litter. It is unknown why this should be. Few Local Authorities are willing to do much about it and reject requests for assistance in clearing this, insisting that each school should or will have the training and equipment necessary for the safe retrieval of discarded sharps. Whether that is true or not I don’t now, but I doubt it.

And of course, perhaps it’s just too much for Surbiton

 

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