Dirty drug paraphernalia discarded on a Dunedin footpath was collected by police yesterday - six days after it was first reported.
David Crosbie said he found the dirty needle and blood-covered gauzes on a footpath outside his Caversham house last Thursday.
He picked up the resealable bag and reported his find to police.
''We got sent through to Auckland and they said if we can find a car that isn't busy we will send it around ... well, that was days ago.''
''What really annoyed me is the lady in Auckland said she was in a bit of a hurry and ... can't talk.
''What happened to the good old days when police would advise you what to do with the bags, how to handle them, and make sure you didn't get infected ... there was none of that,'' Mr Crosbie said.
''I thought this is terrible, eh.''
When approached by the Otago Daily Times for comment, police said in a statement Southern district police were advised of the find, and two officers went to Mr Crosbie's place the following morning.
''There was no-one at the address provided and staff were unable to contact the man on the phone numbers he had given to police,'' the statement said.
Hours after being contacted by the ODT, police again sent officers to his address and they removed the kit, which contained a needle and drug paraphernalia.
Police are assessing the items.
