Blood Ties Four Directions will host a needle safety awareness workshop at 7:00 this evening at the Whitehorse Public Library.

In light of recent publicity of the number of needles found at the now-demolished residence at 810 Wheeler St., executive director Patricia Bacon said today Blood Ties decided to help educate the public about needle use and safety.

The goal is "to provide some community education about harm reduction and why it's important for community safety," said Bacon.

The workshop is also part of Blood Ties' mandate, she explained.

"We will be talking about needle exchange and needle safety," said Bacon.

Intravenous drug users can exchange their used needles for clean ones either from Blood Ties or the Community Outreach Van, she added.

"People who share needles are at risk of getting HIV or Hepatitis C," she said.

Bacon recommended that anyone who finds a used needle to alert either Blood Ties or van personnel, but not to pick it up or touch it.

"We definitely discourage that."

Bacon said staff at Blood Ties conduct "needle sweeps" at least twice a year. They frequently find used needles in locales such as the riverbank and the clay cliffs, she said.

Bacon and another staff member from Blood Ties will be hosting the information session.