Employees at a Clarktown store got an unpleasant surprise after discovering a syringe filled with an unknown substance lying in the middle of an aisle.
The manager at Dollar General contacted the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office after workers spotted the syringe inside the store.
According to the report, the syringe appeared to contain some type of unknown liquid.
Deputies responded to the scene and safely collected the item after employees temporarily placed it inside an empty wipes container to keep customers away from it.
The responding deputy later secured the syringe inside a sharps container in the patrol cruiser for proper disposal.
⚠️ WHY FOUND NEEDLES ARE TAKEN SERIOUSLY
Discarded syringes can pose major health risks because they may expose people to:
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Bloodborne infections
- Dangerous drugs or unknown chemicals
Even accidental contact can become a serious medical concern.
🚨 WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A NEEDLE
Health officials recommend:
- Do not touch it with bare hands
- Keep children and pets away
- Do not try to recap the needle
- Call local law enforcement, health officials, or maintenance staff if in a public place
If you absolutely must move one in an emergency:
- Use gloves or tongs
- Place it in a hard plastic container with a lid
- Never throw loose needles directly into trash bags
👀 WHY STORES SOMETIMES FIND THEM
Businesses, parks, bathrooms, parking lots, and public spaces increasingly report finding discarded syringes connected to:
- Drug use
- Medical treatments
- Homeless encampments
- Illegal dumping
Workers say the discoveries can be especially alarming in places frequented by children and families.
In this case, employees acted quickly to isolate the syringe until deputies could safely dispose of it.