VANDALIA, Ill. — Parents are fed up after finding used syringes on the streets of a small town.
Police think drug users are throwing them out into neighborhoods filled with kids.
Vandalia police say they have gotten several calls about dirty needles scattered across the community in recent months.
"We did take one report today. I would say over the last three months just an estimate around a dozen," police chief Jeff Ray said.
Teresa White says playgrounds in her community should be safe, but she feels they're becoming unsafe for her children.
"It's terrifying and it angers me," White said. "I don't want my kids around that at all."
Over the last few months, Vandalia police have seen an uptick in calls about dirty needles found in the community.
"One is too many so we don't want any out there," Ray said.
The problem has been so bad in recent weeks police turned to social media to put out a warning. That's where people said they've found needles in parks, on the street, even in their yards.
"I don't need to see these little kids grabbing them and poking themselves," recovering drug addict Brandon Huddlestun said.
If you find a needle in your yard, here's what you should do:
Police say wear gloves and use tongs to pick up the needle and place them in a puncture-proof container. If you get poked, don't panic. Instead, you should go to the doctor to get treated immediately.
White says she hopes police can get the syringes off the streets, but she says it takes more than police to help rid of the dirty needles.
"It takes us to do it too, It's just not the police," White said.
Vandalia police plan to increase patrols to rid the community of the nuisance. Police encourage you not to pick up the syringes. If you find one, call them immediately.
