Sharps and Extreme Cleaning were required to clean up this drug den.

1. Bird cleaning up a drug den in Kent
At A Glance
Location: Dartford, Kent Problem: Sharps Disposal, Pigeon Guano
Removal
Structure: Drug Den Solution: Needle Sweep Specialist Team
Overview
Rapid Environmental Services were called in to clean up and deal with a suspected drug den at a derelict
building next to a railway station near Dartford which was about to be demolished as part of a
refurbishment project.
The Problem
Initially, the project was to clear up and remove pigeon guano within the building; however it soon
became clear that the area was being used as a drug den which posed a significant safety risk to those
on site.
Our experience in dealing with drug dens picked up the tell-tale signs so we quickly initiated our sharps
protocol and cordoned off the area for specialist attention and clearing before any further removal or
demolition works could be carried out.
The Challenge
Sharps pose a significant threat of contamination and injury to workers and the public, so specialist
techniques and methods must be used to ensure an area is cleared of potential danger. Sharps can be
defined as anything from syringes, hypodermic needles, razor blades, knives and even broken glass and
tin cans – basically anything used as drug taking paraphernalia.
Most suspected drug dens are dark, filthily and extremely unpleasant, so the challenge is to identify and
locate all and every potentially dangerous object, remove the item and dispose of safely. This work
requires the utmost concentration and extreme care as one false move or mistake can mean being stuck
with a contaminated item, so this work is extremely high risk.

2. The Solution
When sharps are involved, safety is our prime concern both for our staff and for the public in general so
the area is cordoned off and all access is restricted to the area. Only staff specifically trained in needle
sweep techniques are permitted past the cordon until the area is declared safe to proceed.
The area in question is flooded with light to make identification of objects easier, but in most cases it is
the needles and blades not seen that pose the real danger. These can be buried under debris, under
discarded clothing and in chairs and mattresses often found in these areas. Furthermore, drug den users
often defecate in the area too, adding to the potential of contamination and disease.
All items uncovered are identified and carefully removed, being placed in sharps disposal boxes for
incineration. Only when all exposed risks are removed can the actual clean up begin. On a site like this,
nothing can be touched by unprotected hands, so the use of tongs and other hand tools to pick items up
are used. Any other suspected items are flagged for specialist attention and removal until the area is
cleared.
Once all debris and waste matter is removed, the area is disinfected and a final clean can take place.
Once inspected, the area is declared clean and free of danger so work can begin again.
The Result
Once the area was declared safe by our onsite manager, workers entered the site knowing all
contamination and danger from sharps has been neutralized. In this case, the demolition team could get
on with the task in hand.
Web: www.rapid-esl.co.uk
Tel: 01635 247192