In our cherished community of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, I’ve become deeply concerned by the growing number of used syringes littering our streets, particularly near areas where our children should feel the safest – their schools and playgrounds. It's frightening to think about the dangers these pose to our young ones, not just from a physical harm perspective, but also due to the testament they are to the increasing drug use in our beloved town.

Imagine the shock and fear of finding a syringe just yards away from a school entrance, or on the outskirts of a children's playground. Our community spaces, once filled with laughter and joy, are being tainted by these dangerous items. Children, who are curious by nature, are at risk of accidentally picking them up and being exposed to dangerous diseases.

We cannot let this problem persist. It is our responsibility as community members and caregivers to ensure the safety and well-being of our children. The presence of these syringes doesn’t just pose a health risk but goes against the communal and family values that hold Kalgoorlie-Boulder together.

We urge the local government to take immediate action to not only clean up our community spaces from these hazardous items but also implement better waste disposal solutions and more robust public health monitoring systems. This can include regular patrolling of these areas, putting more bins that are specifically for hazardous waste, and educational campaigns to inform people of the dangers.

Furthermore, we call for increased support for addiction services to address the root of the problem – to get those who use these substances the help they need, thereby reducing the presence of hazardous waste in our public spaces.

I ask you to imagine the peace of mind we’d have, knowing our children can once again play in a safe, clean environment. Let’s work towards reclaiming the purity and safety of our community spaces.

Join me in urging the Kalgoorlie-Boulder City Council to act now. Please sign this petition to protect our children and clean up our streets from used syringes. Together, we can make a significant difference in preventing this danger from harming our community.