Pubdate: Tue, 30 Aug 2005
Source: Huddersfield Daily Examiner, The (UK)
Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2005
Contact:  http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2278
Author: Andrew Jackson

PARK DRUG NEEDLE SCARE

Children in Crosland Moor are playing just yards from a "sickening"
drugs den strewn with blood-spattered needles.

Youngsters who use the swings and slides at the bottom of May Street
can watch gangs of drug addicts roaming the area preparing to use drugs.

The addicts, who inject heroin, use a patch of grass near the play
park to meet up and administer the evil substance.

Colne Valley High pupil Stacey Elson, 15, and a friend were out
walking dogs near the park when they stumbled across piles of used
needles, swathed with toilet rolls covered in blood and other substances.

Stacey said: "We just came across them.

"It is disgusting. One of the dogs is blind so it could just have
stepped on them.

"It was horrible. We went home and told my mum about what we had
seen."

Her worried mum, May Street resident Elaine Dewhirst, 44, said there
had been problems at the playground before.

The care assistant added: "The Examiner named and shamed the
playground last year as one of the worst in Huddersfield.

"Normally my daughter wears trainers, but if she had been wearing flip
flops or open shoes and stepped on the things, well I don't want to
think about it.

"Sometimes my grandchildren come. If they are playing near the park
and fall over the consequences don't bear thinking about.

"It is a sickening situation."

The family reported their horrifying find to the police who are now
investigating the incident.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin