Parents have been warned to be "extra vigilant" by an MP after a child had to receive urgent medical attention after he pricked his finger on a discarded needle in a play area.
Children, thought to be of primary school age, had been playing when the incident happened in Armagh, Ireland, on Tuesday evening.
Used needles and other materials were discovered on the village green in Bessbrook, on the outskirts of Newry, which is frequently used as a dumping ground for drug abusers.
Concerned parents contacted Bessbrook Community Residents Association to alert members of the public, reports Belfast Live .
The community association said: "A number of concerned parents have been in touch this evening to alert others to the existence of what appears to be used needles and associated drug use equipment, on the green between Highstreet and Dobsons.
"They were found by a group of young children playing on the green this evening, and 1 of the children has had to seek urgent medical treatment, as they pricked themselves with one of the used needles.
"Police have been informed and would urge parents to be careful of where their children are playing, and if any more are found to contact them and/or environmental health in the council."
Parents have been warned to keep an eye on where their children are playing over the summer.
Sinn Féin MP Mickey Brady told ITV news: "We would encourage people to be extra vigilant.
"The issue of drugs in this area is brought up constantly and yet nothing particularly seems to be being done about it."