Powell River Fire Rescue responded to a dangerous situation last Thursday morning, September 6. They received a call at 8:37 am to dispose of hypodermic needles dumped at Westview Townhouses, an apartment complex located in the 3800 block of Joyce Avenue.

Calls to remove needles have become routine for firefighters; they receive these requests more than once a week.

"We have picked up over 300 in a single place and that has happened on more than one occasion that I am aware of," said Powell River fire chief Dean Gerhart. As of September 6, local firefighters disposed of 806 needles this year.

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