Pubdate: Wed, 30 Apr 2008
Source: Nipawin Journal, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2008 The Nipawin Journal
Contact:  http://www.nipawinjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/867
Author: Melissa Mangelsen

DRUG NEEDLES FOUND OUTSIDE DAY CARE PROMPTS SAFETY ALERT

A warning sign has been posted on the door of the Busy Bee Pre-School 
located on First Street West in Nipawin after four drug paraphernalia 
needles were found in their parking lot.

The building is also home to the Nipawin Day Care Co-operative, who 
originally found the needles.

"We found four needles and phoned the RCMP to come and pick them up," 
said Reagan Clarke, director at the daycare.

After the surprising find, the Nipawin RCMP said they would increase 
patrol in that area and drive by more often.

It is unknown how long the needles have been there, as they may have 
been uncovered as the snow began to melt.

Roseanne Kirkpatrick, director at Busy Bee Pre-School, said they put 
a note on the door for people to keep an eye out as they bring their kids in.

"It's a safety concern for the kids and rather than give notes to the 
parents, which sometimes they don't read anyway, we just thought we'd 
put a big sign on the door and they'd see it and be reminded every 
time they come in - it's just to watch out and have their kids by 
their hand," said Kirkpatrick.

"Parents of the children attending the daycare have expressed concern 
regarding the needles, but none of the children have come in contact 
with the needles," said Clarke.

Neither the children at the daycare or the pre-school have been 
outside playing this year, mainly due to the weather.

"I feel I should do a walk around before I take them out there. I'm 
paranoid now to take them," said Kirkpatrick.

Also found by staff at the building have been broken beer bottles 
behind the bushes and condoms.

"I've found stuff before and the police told me it was a bad area," 
said Kirkpatrick.

"These little guys that I have are three or four years old, they bend 
down and grab something before you can even see what they're doing," 
explained Kirkpatrick.

Neither Kirkpatrick or Clarke were sure if the needles were placed 
there as a prank or if they had actually been used, however needles 
have been found in other areas around First Street West.

Also close to the daycare and pre-school is Wagner Elementary School, 
which has Grades 4 to 6.

"We haven't had a single incident reported about needles, but if it's 
a concern in the area and we'll bring it up at the next board 
meeting," said Dr. Ivan Yackel, director of education at the North 
East School Division.

Yackel said finding needles isn't uncommon in larger centres such as 
Saskatoon or Regina, but he's never heard of that happening in a 
smaller community.

If needles are found by anyone, they should not be touched or removed 
from the area. Call the RCMP and they will remove and dispose of them 
properly as used needles carry a high risk and are often associated 
with the spread of disease.

The building the daycare and pre-school are located in is owned by 
the Town of Nipawin. The town comes and rakes and does the clean up 
and mows the lawn for them, however it hasn't been warm enough for 
them to do that yet.

A call to the RCMP was not returned at press time. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake