By George P. Hassett

A change in state law has caused an influx of discarded needles to find their way onto Somerville streets, according to Noreen Burke the city’s health director. Burke and Tammy Freitas da Rocha, director of Somerville Cares About Prevention, presented aldermen with a plan to address the growing problem at a June 5 Legislative Matters Board of Aldermen committee meeting.

‚Äú[Used, discarded needles] is a huge public health issue across the country not just in Somerville,‚Äù Burke said at the meeting. In September of 2006, Burke said the state instituted the Massachusetts syringe access law which allows individuals  to buy and carry hypodermic needles without a prescription.

The goal of the law was to combat the spreading of diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C through shared needles by allowing anyone, including illegal drug users, to purchase clean needles. The law also required the state’s Department of Public Health to provide disposal sites. However, Burke said the safe disposal of needles got lost in the shuffle between the administrations of Mitt Romney and Deval Patrick. However, “the issue is back now in a big way,” she said.

The number of police incidents involving syringes recovered from public places has more than tripled since the change took effect in September 2006. Earlier this year, 100 needles were found in the sewers of East Somerville and it was just one of many reported incidents.

Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane said the most common place to find needles is city playgrounds. ‚ÄúThat‚Äôs where our most vulnerable population is — children,‚Äù he said.

Burke said changing the law devalued the street valued of syringes, making them much more disposable. The increase in needles on the street and a law going into effect July 1, 2008 making the disposal of needles in the trash illegal is making it more important than ever for the community to come up with a plan to address the issue, she said.

Burke said state officials have approached city officials about possibly locating a needle disposal kiosk in the city free of charge for one year. Normally, installation and maintenance of the kiosk costs $5,000 a year. However, Freitas da Rocha said one kiosk will not be able to meet the needs of all the city‚Äôs needle users — both diabetics and substance abusers. Burke said two of three needle users have legitimate prescriptions and a kiosk in a public space could serve them well. However, Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane said he did not like the idea of having a kiosk in his ward.

“It’s not the two-thirds that bothers me, it’s the one-third that are shooting up and leaving them in the street that worries me. It’s not diabetics throwing needles on the street. These are people who prey on the elderly, I don’t want them in Ward 7 at the senior center dropping off their needles,” he said.

Burke emphasized that most people who need to dispose of needles are not drug users but people with legitimate health problems. She also said it was important to empathize with people trying to overcome addiction.

  Another strategy is to ask local pharmacies to take back used needles, Burke said. However, pharmacies in the area have thus far been resistant to the idea.

“The pharmacies are benefiting by selling the needles, can they help by taking them back? Businesses don’t want to be known as a drop off site for needles though,” she said.

Solicitor John Gannon said the city could not force pharmacies to help in the effort. Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston said a solution will come from the community. She said a public hearing should be scheduled by the Fall.

“We need to brainstorm as a community. I am constantly getting phone calls about needles in Osgood Park.

Burke said even needles disposed of in the trash endanger waste disposal workers.