The Nation - News from July 10, 1988

Beaches in New York City and Long Island reopened for swimming, although officials are not certain whether medical debris found along the shore came from boardwalk junkies or careless sewage disposal. Authorities had closed 25 miles of beaches along the Atlantic shore during last week’s heat wave after beachgoers reported finding dirty syringes and vials of what appeared to be blood washing up on the white sand. But health department tests of the ocean water indicated it was in good to excellent condition, with minimal risks for bathers. Investigators said they doubted an earlier theory that the debris originated at a hospital. New York City Parks Commissioner Henry Stern blamed drug abusers for the six syringes found along city shores.