Residents in West Belfast are calling for preventative action to be taken after upwards of "25 needles a day" have been found in one area.
Those living in the Barrack Street area said they're increasingly concerned by the amount of drug paraphernalia sighted in the residential area in recent weeks.
Local man Andrew Foster said although Belfast City Council have been responsive in calling out to clear the items away, more preventative action needs to be taken to halt the issue in the first place.
Read more: Kids find used needles and drug 'cooking equipment' in Belfast park
Andrew and another resident patrol the area every evening looking for needles, before calling the Council who promptly arrive to remove them. Speaking to Belfast Live on Tuesday afternoon, he said 15 needles had already been found that day before the evening "busy" period.
"We'll probably see at least another 10 on top of that this evening," Andrew added.
"We go around every night at 7.30pm, because 7pm is shooting up time. We count how many needles there are, then we ring the Council and they come out to lift them.
"This hasn't even been gathering up a few days, this is daily. We ring the council by around 7.30pm and for 8pm or 8.30pm they'll have somebody out to lift them, then tomorrow it'll be back to square one again.
"We've done everything we can. There's an entry that was being used to shoot up in, we got it closed off but they kicked the gate down and got back in. Now they're just using a wee nook in the alley, there's five or six spots around the area they're using regularly."
Andrew said he's concerned for the safety of children playing in the area and elderly residents.
He said: "A couple of weeks ago I found a needle in my garden, I have a one year old and he plays out there. We got all the kids in the area and brought them to where the needles usually are, showed them the needles, and told them what they are and to stay away from them. You shouldn't have to do that to five and six year olds.
"They use entries behind a block of five or six houses where all the residents are elderly. Our fear would be them going out to leave their bins out, and someone running into the house behind them."
He added the community are "at a loss" about how to resolve the issue, saying that although the Council have been "brilliant" in disposing of the needles, they need preventative measures to stop the issue from constantly arising.
"We're finding up to 25 needles a day here," Andrew said. "We're just trying everything and nothing seems to be working."
Police said they're aware of concerns in relation to anti-social behaviour in the Barrack Street area. They said officers have been working alongside partner agencies, local representatives, and members of the community to find proactive solutions to address the issues.
Neighbourhood Inspector White said: “I want to offer my reassurances to the local community that anti-social behaviour is something that we take very seriously. We welcome any information from the public and local elected representatives to inform what we are doing as we work towards a solution.
“The sad reality is that we continue to receive reports about needle and drug paraphernalia finds as people who use intravenous drugs are consuming them in publicly accessible areas.
“I want to remind those who use needles of the risks to others they cause by discarding them so wantonly. These items can be dangerous, especially to younger children who may not be aware of what they have found.
“Police will continue to use high visibility targeted patrols and every method at our disposal to disrupt and arrest drug dealers involved in the sale and supply of drugs, and put them before the courts. Drug and substance misuse and dealing is a policing priority and we will continue to work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of harmful and illegal activity.
"We are asking everyone for their support and co-operation in tackling this problem through the criminal justice system. We are committed to addressing illegal drug use and supply.
"Anyone who is suspected of involvement in the supply of drugs can expect to be arrested by police and presented before the courts.
“We all have a responsibility to help make where we live safer for everyone. Reporting crimes or incidents that impact on your quality of life helps focus our patrols where they are needed and take positive action. Ring us on 101, report online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport or speak directly to your Neighbourhood Team."
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council said: "Our safer neighbourhood and alcohol enforcement officers provide a visible presence across the city, offering support and advice on community safety issues. They also regularly work in partnership with PSNI to undertake joint patrols.
“When Council receives reports of discarded needles or other drugs paraphernalia, we will remove them as quickly as possible. We continue to work closely with our partners in statutory, community and voluntary organisations to support them in tackling these complex issues."
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