‘Needles everywhere constantly': Boston sees 42% uptick in littered syringe complaints
Some neighborhoods, including the South End and Roxbury, are seeing a higher increase of more than 50%.
The City of Boston responded to more than 10,748 needle pickup requests last year.
Neighbors question if the ending of a needle buyback program last summer could play a role in the uptick in 311 complaints this year.
That temporary program was funded through federal pandemic relief funds.
'There's not an incentive anymore for users to return their needles,' said South End resident Jonathan Alves. 'People are also more spread out now. It's a perfect storm scenario.'
Neighbors in the South End credit the City's Mobile Sharps team for quickly responding to the frequent complaints.
'There are needles everywhere constantly,' said South End resident Brian McCarter. 'I see about a hundred a day. 311 data alone probably undercounts the problem.'
Boston 25 News spotted more than a dozen littered needles on streets and sidewalks while filming near the South End-Roxbury line Friday afternoon.
Boston Public Health Commission outreach workers were visibly collecting used needles and engaging with people openly using drugs.
'This is still the designated zone to do drugs,' said McCarter. 'This is your safe injection site for the city, I guess.'
A city of Boston spokesperson told Boston 25 News that it's working across partners to end congregate outdoor substance use.
The city points out that many programs around syringe cleanup also provide connections to services, including housing, treatment access, and employment initiatives.
According to the city, the Community Syringe Redemption Program ended following neighborhood concerns about the program's impact and congregations of people.
'Discarded needles on our City streets are unacceptable and their removal is a top priority. An increase in needle complaints this time of year is consistent with what we've observed in years past when the weather gets warmer and more people are outside,' said a city spokesperson. 'The City has also made a targeted effort to educate people about the 311 service and encourage them to report needle sightings so that they can be safely and properly disposed of.'
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
11 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
CDC Cuts Experts Out of Panels That Develop Vaccine Policy
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told physician groups, public health professionals and infectious disease experts that they will no longer be invited to help review vaccine data and develop recommendations, according to an email viewed by Bloomberg. The move marks an escalation in Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to assert control over the CDC's vaccine advisory process. Under the change, external experts will be excluded from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' working groups — subcommittees that review data and develop policy recommendations — but they will still be able to participate in open public meetings.
Yahoo
18 minutes ago
- Yahoo
When You're the Only One Left Standing
What to Do When Life Feels Like a Punchline Let's just say it out loud: getting older isn't for the faint of heart. Add in chronic illness or a sudden medical scare, no partner holding your hand, no family to lean on (or worse, toxic ones you've had to cut off), and it can feel like life has you in a chokehold. I have a couple of very good friends who don't live nearby who are dealing with this. I wish I could be there, but 1700 miles is a long way to go, and while I can go for a visit, I can't be there ALL of the time (aside from via phone). Maybe you're there right now. Maybe you just got back from a doctor's appointment that left you spinning. Maybe your phone hasn't rung in days, and you're sick of eating alone, scrolling through everyone else's highlight reel while you sit in your sweatpants, wondering how the hell you got here. I'm not going to sugarcoat it: it's hard. Isolation, especially when paired with fear and health issues, is a special kind of hell. But here's the truth most people won't say out loud: You still deserve a beautiful, joyful, soul-filling life—no matter how 'late' it feels. And no, it's not too late to start. Step 1: Feel All the Feels (Then Get Back Up Anyway) If you need to scream into a pillow, go for it. If you're crying at the pharmacy because the copay on your meds just went up again, I've done it too. You are allowed to grieve the life you thought you'd have. You are allowed to be angry, tired, resentful, and scared. Don't let the 'positive vibes only' people shame you into pretending everything's fine when it isn't. But, and this is the part that matters, you have to decide not to stay in that place. Because sitting in misery for too long is like planting yourself in wet cement. Eventually, it hardens. You don't want to get stuck there. So cry. Scream. Be pissed off. And then take a deep breath and say: Now what? Step 2: Rewrite the Story You've Been Telling Yourself Maybe you've been carrying around some poisonous little lies: 'I blew it.' 'Nobody cares about me.' 'It's too late for me.' 'I'm just waiting to die.' Let's interrupt that nonsense right now. You are not a lost cause. You are not a mistake. And you don't have to wait for someone else to 'rescue' you or make life worth living. You can become the hero of your own story, even if the first few chapters were a mess. Yes, your body might be falling apart. Yes, your circle might be nonexistent. But you are still here. Still breathing. Still able to choose what happens next. So let's talk about how. HOW TO STAY SANE WHEN THE WORLD FEELS UPSIDE DOWN Create StructureWake up at the same time every day. Make your bed. Eat something with protein. Take your meds. Go outside, even if it's just to the porch or balcony. Give yourself an anchor in the day so you don't drift. Do One Tiny Thing That Brings You JoyA fancy cup of coffee. A trashy reality show. Dancing in your living room in a robe. Painting your nails neon pink because why the hell not? Happiness doesn't always come in fireworks - it often shows up in whispers. You just have to start listening. Stop Consuming Content That Makes You Feel Like CrapYou do not need to see another post of a perfect family brunch or an influencer in her twenties talking about 'self-care.' Unfollow. Mute. Curate your feed like your sanity depends on it. Because it does. Talk Back to the FearWrite it out. Literally. When your brain is telling you you're alone, doomed, worthless, unloved sit down and put it on paper, then write your rebuttal like a lawyer defending your own damn life. You are strong. You have survived 100% of your hardest days. You are not done yet. Find (or Create) Your Tribe—Even NowYes, it's harder when you're older. People have their own lives, their own routines. But that doesn't mean there aren't people just like you who are lonely, brilliant, funny, and craving connection. They're just waiting for someone to say the first hello. Be that someone. Join a Facebook group for boomers, travelers, solo agers, dog lovers, or people with your condition. Start commenting on posts, or better yet . Send a DM. Invite someone for a coffee. Just because you're over 60 doesn't mean you've forgotten how to make friends. You just need to try again, on your terms. HOW TO START TODAY TO RIGHT YOUR OWN WRONGS Maybe you pushed people away. Maybe you never really learned how to form deep friendships. Maybe you burned bridges, or maybe they did and now there's rubble between you. Here's the good news: you don't need a perfect past to build a better future. Reach Out (Yes, Even If It's Awkward)Send that text. Call the cousin you haven't talked to in ten years. Write a message to the woman you used to work with who always made you laugh. Not everyone will respond. That's okay. The point is that you are showing up differently. Tell the TruthBe vulnerable. Say, 'I've been feeling isolated lately and I'd love to reconnect.' There's nothing shameful about craving community. It's human. And people respect honesty far more than forced small talk. Forgive YourselfThis one's big. Maybe you stayed in a bad relationship too long. Maybe you were a crappy friend during the hardest parts of your life. Maybe you ignored your health, or gave up too soon. Okay. That was then. This is now. You get to do better. Not because you're guilty, but because you deserve peace. Be the Friend You Wish You HadVolunteer. Say kind things online. Compliment strangers. Send silly postcards. It might sound cheesy, but putting good into the world always brings something back. Always. WHY YOU DESERVE THE BEST LIFE EVER—NO MATTER WHAT Here's the deal: your worth is not measured by your family status, your health, or your number of Facebook friends. You are not some expired version of your younger self. You are not invisible. You are not broken beyond repair. You are still a whole still have still get to have dreams, joy, pleasure, and are allowed to laugh so hard it hurts. To fall in love. To make new friends. To redecorate your space. To take a solo cruise. To become your own favorite person. Getting older doesn't mean your life is closing down. In fact, for a lot of us, it's the first time we've ever really had the freedom to ask: What do I want? What lights me up? What kind of life do I want to wake up to? So here's my challenge to you:Start today. Even if it's just one tiny thing. Make that phone call. Throw out the junk that doesn't serve you anymore. Buy the damn lipstick. Take yourself out to lunch. Sign up for the art class or the walking club, or the Zoom meet-up with strangers. Live like you mean it. Because no matter what your medical chart says, you are not no matter who let you down, you are still no matter how many lonely nights you've had, you are not alone. You've survived everything so far. Don't let this chapter be the one where you give up. Make it the one where you rise. Your best life isn't behind you. It's waiting for you to claim it. Right now. And I'll be here, cheering you on every step of the way. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Doctors Are Begging People Trying To Lose Weight To Stop Doing This One Thing With Fruit
Doctors Are Begging People Trying To Lose Weight To Stop Doing This One Thing With Fruit originally appeared on Parade. "Shop the perimeter." "Consume plenty of fruits and veggies." These tips are common refrains in the weight loss space and also happen to be good health advice. However, one family physician sees patients who are often surprised that their weight increased—or at least their efforts to lose it stalled—after they also upped their fruit intake."Fruit can satisfy that sweet tooth, hopefully helping you avoid the less healthy refined sugar," says , a family physician. "On the other hand, I have a lot of patients who have incorporated fruit in their diets, but are not achieving weight loss."It's frustrating to follow advice and not see results. However, Dr. Sevilla often asks questions about how his patients consume fruit. Their answers frequently reveal they're making a common but sneaky mistake with it. The good news? Fixing it isn't complicated and can be downright delicious. Dr. Sevilla and other doctors share the one thing they're begging people attempting to lose weight to stop doing with fruit, why and what to do instead.🩺 💊 The No. 1 Fruit Mistake To Avoid When You're Trying To Lose Weight After talking to patients struggling to lose weight, Dr. Sevilla learns that some of them are using fruit juices. "I prefer my patients to use whole fruit for health benefits," he says. A 2024 study by Harvard researchers suggested that a tall glass of 100% fruit juice daily could contribute to weight seeing "100% fruit juice" on a container in the grocery store can seem promising and healthy. Speaking of which, when you look at the front of a fruit juice label, you may see phrases like "Excellent source of vitamin C." That's not just clever marketing—it's true. Doctors aren't denying that."Some of the benefits of fruit, such as vitamins, can still be there in juice form," says, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain it's important to read the entire nutrition label for fruit juice to see what else is in it (and what's not) that could stifle weight loss "Fruit juices are low in fiber, which does not satisfy hunger, and can cause people to drink more juice and spike their blood sugar and insulin levels," explains Dr. Sevilla. "In addition, the amount of calories in fruit juices is higher and more concentrated than in whole fruit."These risks also apply to recipes one weight loss doctor often sees incorporated into "juice cleanses," which, ironically, can have the opposite effect on your goals."'Juicing' juice cleanses can hinder weight loss because they have too much sugar and not enough fiber to slow absorption of fruit sugar," explains Dr. Sue Decotiis, MD, a medical weight loss doctor in New York City. "Insulin is then tasked with metabolizing all this sugar and is distracted from burning fat. GLP-1 drugs work so well because they help insulin work to burn fat, whereas juice does the opposite."Related: Juicy Fruit Tips for People Trying To Lose Weight Whole fruit is beneficial, but not everyone finds it delicious. They may gravitate toward juices with added sugar (and not fiber) instead. Additionally, it's essential to be mindful of whole fruit intake when trying to lose weight. Doctors share these tips to help you eat foods that nourish your body and support your goals. 1. Learn to enjoy whole fruit Patients constantly ask Dr. Sevilla how to make whole fruit more enjoyable. For instance, there are numerous ways to enjoy fruit without making it the star of the plate."Add fruit to some of your favorite dishes, which helps add a welcoming sweet taste to your meal," he recommends. "[One] example is to toss diced apples or pears into a salad with walnuts and feta. At breakfast, you can try mixing berries into cottage cheese or low-sugar Greek yogurt." 2. Balance nutrients regardless of your fruit's form Dr. Sevilla's meal suggestions are balanced—for instance, cottage cheese and Greek yogurt have protein, and apples are a good source of fiber. Dr. Decotiis says that's important. In fact, she advises people trying to lose weight to be mindful of how much fruit they consume—even in whole form."Fruit contains important vitamins, minerals and fibers, but also fructose, which is a form of sugar," she points out. "While eating fruit is healthier than eating sucrose found in sweets, it is still sugar." Therefore, a balance of nutrients is key, with fiber and protein playing vital roles. Without fiber? It doesn't matter if the fruit was in whole or juice form."Sugar will be absorbed quickly, resulting in a spike in insulin," Dr. Decotiis notes. "We could see a rapid drop in blood sugar or glucose that could trigger hunger and cravings between meals. Eating fruit with protein or having the fruit with a meal can help avoid swings in blood sugar." 3. Load up on vegetables "Vegetables have less sugar, much more fiber on average and many—if not more—nutrients," Dr. Decotiis is filling, helps control hunger and boosts gut health while also keeping you regular (pooping)—all of which can help you lose weight at a healthy pace. So, you may not need to load up on fruit if you're consuming lots of vegetables daily."If vegetables are consumed in adequate amounts, only one fruit a day is really necessary," she says. "Fruits with higher fiber grams are apples [and] avocado—yes, it's a fruit, not a veggie."Dr. Ali also notes that consuming fruits on the lower end of the glycemic index can help lower the odds of experiencing blood sugar fluctuations that can make weight loss more challenging."Fruits like berries and citrus fruits have a lower glycemic index and tend to cause less sugar spikes," he explains. Up Next:Sources: Dr. Mike Sevilla, MD, a family physician Consumption of 100% Fruit Juice and Body Weight in Children and Adults. JAMA Pediatrics. Dr. Mir Ali, MD, a board-certified general surgeon, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley Dr. Sue Decotiis, MD, a medical weight loss doctor in New York City Doctors Are Begging People Trying To Lose Weight To Stop Doing This One Thing With Fruit first appeared on Parade on Jul 31, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
