Nov. 4, 2009 — Finding used needles, burned spoons and a blood splattered sink has one gas station manager locking the bathroom door to the public.
Local merchants and citizens need to use caution when using public bathrooms, as several items used in drug use have been located across town in toilets, garbage cans and lavatories.
Kim Stone, manager of Clarks Pump and Shop in Grayson, said the blood discovered in the sink Thursday caused her to draw the line.
“That did it for me,” Stone commented Friday. “I will now pick and choose who uses my bathroom. It will be kept locked, and people I believe are doing this will not be allowed in there.”
Stone said finding such items in the bathroom has been an ongoing problem for some time. “I think most people just turn a blind eye to it, because what are you going to do? This is the third time we have found needles. The first time was when one of my employees went in to fix the toilet that wouldn’t stop running. When she removed the lid off the back, there was a needle.”
Another Grayson convenient mart manager, whose employer has asked her along with the business to remain anonymous, has given her employees’ strict orders not to enter the facility’s bathroom without wearing rubber gloves.
“We also have found needles, spoons and cigarettes butts used in shooting up pain pills, she commented Friday. “One day I discovered a torn cigarette butt and asked someone what that could be for and I was told they are used in the process of shooting up drugs,” she said. “We have small children that come into this store, and I am afraid for them. What if they were to enter the bathroom and pick up something like a used needle or touch someone’s blood left behind? I would advise anyone to scan a public bathroom upon entrance. We do check the restrooms at least six times during a regular shift, but we can’t be in there every minute of the day. It’s just a serious health hazard, and I’m not sure what can be done about it.”
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