The Saskatoon Fire Department is used to picking up needles – just not hundreds at a time.
On Sunday, an estimated 500 needles were scattered along a stretch of Circle Drive between Laurier Drive and 33rd Street.
“As far as I can recall, this is the first time we’ve responded to something of this similar nature,” said Assistant Chief Wayne Roger.
Adding to the icky factor is the fact that the syringes were used, said Roger.
“A new needle is going to be packaged properly. These ones appeared not to be.”
It took crews roughly 45-minutes to clean up the mess.
Roger said he can only speculate on how the needles got there and added its unlikely they will ever find out.
“Nothing would lead us where they originated or where they were destined for. Unless someone comes forward, it would be pretty difficult,” he said.
The fire department responds to over 1400 needle-related calls every year.