'Dangerous pandemic' with addicts regularly using drugs in Portsmouth toilets
Calls have been made to clean up public toilets in Portsmouth that are plagued by drug taking.
The public toilets on the north side of Guildhall Square ‘have junkies in there every day’, according to people who have called for more to be done about the long-standing problem.
And it is part of a ‘dangerous pandemic’ across the country, with drug addicts shooting up in public toilets while the young, old and vulnerable use the facilities.
Doors in the Guildhall Walk toilets are often locked for lengthy periods of time with needles and wraps left on the ground – with one person reporting he had to go to hospital after accidentally pricking himself on a needle left by the toilet.
One man, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘The junkies are in there every day – it’s not good. I was pricked by a needle in the toilet and had to go to hospital.
‘There are needle boxes for them to dispose of but the addicts don’t use them. Wardens patrol the area and go in the toilets but there’s only so much they can do. The dealers are to blame but the justice system needs to hand out stronger sentences.’
Deena Whitley, of Portsmouth, who uses the toilets on a regular basis, said: ‘It is a problem for all of us. If people are using drugs then they will not be allowed in a drug rehabilitation centre and will just go to the toilets.’
Bryan Daraz, 68, of Southsea, added: ‘It’s not very pleasant using the toilets when there are drug addicts in there. More needs to be done to stop it, though I’m not sure what can be done.’
British Toilet Association managing director Raymond Martin said the government is to blame after failing to fund toilets.
He said: ‘This is not an epidemic any more, it is a pandemic.
‘The government has not put any legislation or finance into public toilets, and not enough money is put into welfare and health which makes it difficult for councils.
‘It is a horrendous problem that is now a public health issue. There are needles and wraps left on toilet seats and toilet rolls after people have shot up.
‘You can’t have children, older people and pregnant women going into toilets with such a danger. We want toilets that are clean that everyone can use without putting their health at risk.’
A Portsmouth City Council spokesperson said: ‘Our community wardens check the toilets regularly and the site is cleaned three times a day. Police are notified of criminal activity. We also inform support services for drug users or rough sleepers if we're aware that someone needs help.
‘We also advise suspected users on where to go for support services. If drug paraphernalia is left in the toilets we remove it, and deep clean if necessary.’
The council said it also funds the Recovery Hub, which offers one-to-one support for users, as well as training and funding eight pharmacies to provide naloxone, the emergency overdose antidote, to vulnerable drug users.
www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/health-and-care/health/drug-and-substance-misuse