To tell this man to stick it.

[FoxtrotFoxtrotSierra]

I'm on a residents' committee I don't want to be on, but as a drip haven't managed to extricate myself yet. Am working on it.

Today, in my capacity as a committee member, I've had to deal with the removal of a discarded syringe on our premises. It's not a nice thing to deal with, particularly around one's home, but I have sorted out the council coming to sort it out and then emailed the rest of the committee to keep them informed. My email included the following paragraph:

Given that the immediate issue of it's removal is in hand, it does bring to light potential antisocial behaviour by our residents or their guests. Whilst there are a number of legal reasons someone may be using syringes, there are also a number of illegal ones. This notwithstanding, it is particularly poor form not to highlight the loss of such an item so we can arrange for its removal. I do think that notice should go to all residents stating that this is entirely unacceptable behaviour, and highlighting their duty of care to other residents and those who carry out works for us here.

To which one of the power crazed dickheads other members responded that "We don't know the circumstances of the event and should be mindful of this in our communication" - didn't I say that we didn't know how it got there but need to ask people to be aware of such losses?

Frankly I want to tell him to shove the committee up his arse. AIBU?

Sorry, but I do think that email you sent sounds high-handed and snotty

I agree with AF. You are the one who sounds a bit power crazed.

I agree with AF and squeaky.

How am I power crazed in suggesting that the residents here are asked to be aware of not dropping syringes? I was trying to not sound like I was accusing others of being drug users (which, sadly, we know to be true). Could you suggest a better way of putting it?

Time to give up The Committee ?

You have to live with these people, yes ? I would be having a word in your shell-like, if I got a circular like that in a "who the hell do you think you are talking to" kinda way.

The way your paragraph is worded, I can hardly even understand what it means! I think people usually respond better to more straightforward phrasing, so on that basis YABU.

It is the way you are putting it.

And what do you mean by "sadly we know to be true"? Do you mean you know that some of the residents are drug users?

I have to agree, I would not automatically assume the syringe was discarded by one of my fellow residents and your email more than suggests that you think that.

The other member was merely saying I think you should be careful not to start pointing the finger here.

How so AF? It was sent to the other 5 people on the committee, saying I think we need to make sure people don't do such things - how would you have put it?

And yes, time to give up as there are numerous other issues.

You have a point, but you really don't need to be using words such as "notwithstanding". It comes across as pompous, which gets peoples backs up and they respond in kind.

PS it should be "the immediate issue of its removal" not it's

Frankly I don't think whoever left the needle outside gives a shit and you are wasting your time sending out a notice. You'll probably cause panic amongst the residents that people are regularly shooting up heroin around the building.

If this is a one-off then I don't know why you'd bother saying anything at all.

I must be right stroppy then because it seemed ok to me.

Who in their right mind thinks its ok to leave used syringes around?

It was in the lift. So it was someone here - or one of their guests.

Yes, some of the residents are drug users.

I was trying to make sure it didn't seem like I was being accusatory.

wimblehorse, you're right.

How about

Dear Residents, a discarded needle was recently discovered in the communal area of the premises. Please could everyone ensure that all communal doors are kept locked to prevent anyone entering and trespassing, and when taking rubbish out, take care that nothing from the bags spills into communal areas or is cleaned up immediately.

And yeah, like someone who shoots up and dumps the syringe is going to come forward and say 'sorry, I've dumped my syringe outside, can you get the council round to pck it up please?'

I would have put it more like "this needle has been found, please could all residents be vigilant"

ie. stick to the facts, avoid patronising and over-flowery language and watch that your wording doesn't make people you are pointing the finger at them

perhaps you have an idea who it is...in that case sending out an email like this is not going to solve the problem, but will inflame other residents

tbh, if you have good evidence that there is drug using in your community, you should be contacting the police, not sending out emails to people who will just bin them

squeaky - that would have been along the lines of what goes out to residents, this was just to the others on the committee, and was an add on to just letting them know what happened and how it had been dealt with.

What Squeaky said

Well perhaps you just need to reword your letter and make it less legal sounding.

People who inject prescribed medication are unlikely to discard syringes outdoors on purpose.

People who inject street drugs are not too likely to care about being bollocked for being a litterbug.

You email does sound pompous.

How about - 'I arranged for the syringe to be safely disposed of - if any more are seen please ring the council on 01578 867565 to arrange collection. We will display the details for the local clean needles exchange on the community noticeboard from now on.'

splinters that's why I think it's likely to be untoward use - if it had been lost by a medic or someone who used it legally I'd expect them to deal with it appropriately.

actually, I have misunderstood

this email hasn't gone out to all residents then ? Just the 5 committee members ?

I still think it's off, and am wondering how exactly the committee can prevent further instances of needle-dropping

Give up the committee, you will feel better for it

(recent escapee from the PTA)

I see, you are saying to the other committee members

'we need to tell the residents that this sort of behaviour is unacceptable, they must remember they have a duty of care to other residents'

And one of the other members has said 'I think you need to be careful how you say this as we don't really know the facts'

I think he's right tbh, I don't see the 'powercrazed dickhead' bit about what he's said.

Thanks AF - yes, just to the committee members. I don't see how they can prevent it but feel we need to make residents aware (there are other litter issues, but needles feel so much more icky) of how their actions impact on others. I would also worry about liability if someone or their child were hurt, or worse, by such an item.

It's a horrid thing to have to confront at home.

And yes, I need to give up - tips on how you escaped please?