The Roanoke Rapids Police Department and Halifax County Public Health System will hold two forums — one Wednesday and one August 29 — on how the public can safeguard themselves against uncapped syringes thrown onto property.

Both forums will be held at Kirkwood Adams at 1100 Hamilton Street.

The Wednesday forum will be held at 1 p.m. and the August 29 forum will be held at 6 p.m.

“We want everyone to be educated,” Chief Bobby Martin said this afternoon. “We have an epidemic in our area. We’ve heard comments on syringes. We just want everyone to have information and be cognizant of their surroundings.”

Improperly discarded syringes present health risks to people who might step on them or are unaware one might be in the trash. “They could be stuck by syringes and could potentially be exposed to disease.”

Martin said officers came up with the idea of the forum. “They thought it would be a great idea.”

The police chief said he could not predict whether the forum might lead to syringe disposal receptacles in the community. “We are open for suggestions on how to make the community safer.”