They are called the “Special Team” – and for good reason. At 5am, while most of Luxembourg City still sleeps, this team is already at work. Their mission: to collect used syringes from the streets.
Since its creation in 2004, the Special Team – comprising six workers and one driver – has observed a worrying trend. More and more syringes are being left in public spaces, sometimes in particularly inappropriate places.
“We’re now finding syringes in schools or near churches. It’s sad. It wasn’t like this before”, says Patrick Bernardy, the team leader, who has been part of the unit from the very beginning.
The team covers areas known for high drug use, but they also respond to complaints from residents and business owners. Building entrances, playgrounds, even schoolyards – syringes are now turning up everywhere.
The Special Team’s work is largely invisible but incredibly important – and not without its dangers. Every day brings unpredictable encounters. Over the years, team members have been pricked by used syringes on several occasions.
“I pricked myself about 12 or 13 years ago. It was a dreadful three months – I had to take medication. Luckily, I didn’t catch any diseases”, Bernardy recalls.
The unit is called the “Special Team” not only because of its mission to collect syringes, but also because it takes on other unusual and challenging cleaning jobs – including cleaning roads after accidents or even murders. These missions are less frequent, however.
But collecting used syringes is a daily reality, especially in neighbourhoods like Gare and Bonnevoie. Other districts are checked at least once a week.
At the end of each day, the collected syringes are sealed in a special container and picked up by a recycling centre for hazardous waste.
