It has been claimed that children and Council staff are being put at risk of harm after the discovery of "over 30" used needles in West Belfast .
A Belfast City Council cleansing team were called to remove and dispose of the paraphernalia from bin bags left next to a public bin on Colinview Street on Tuesday 29 October, it has emerged.
SDLP representative for the West Paul Doherty, said that there is a drug problem "gripping" Belfast with a "massive increase of heroin use in the last year".
He told Belfast Live: "This again brings focus on the increasing drug problem gripping Belfast and now parts of the West.
"We have seen a massive increase of heroin use in the last year as well as more and more people availing of addiction services. Council staff are put at immediate risk with handling these needles and I commend them on how they have dealt with this issue.
"These needles pose a serious risk to the public and there is a need to raise greater awareness with the public as well as work to educate users on the safe disposal of needles.
"There needs to be a greater focus and direction now from police, health departments and agencies in order to tackle this escalating problem."
A local mum told Belfast Live that she “feels sick” when her children go out to play. She said: “As a mother in the area I am absolutely disgusted to hear about these needles being found.
“Everytime my kids cross the door I have a real sick feeling as my now four-year-old lifted one about a year ago only for the cap being on it.
“Don't want my kids growing up thinking it's a normal thing to see needles lying around the streets.
"It’s vile. One of my children has autism so he doesn't really no right from wrong and it scares the life out of me honestly.”
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: "Our cleansing team removed drugs paraphernalia this week from black bags left beside a litter bin in the Springfield Road/Colinview Street area.
"The items were then disposed of safely."
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