A FED-UP mum has stepped up to protect her community by demanding that a local needle exchange near a school and playpark is closed down. 

Rachael McIntyre, 28, of Queen's Cross in Maryhill, said a child was hurt last night after a needle prick in Dunard Children's Playpark. It is understood that the child's mother told Rachael what had happened and checked over by a doctor.

Glasgow Times:

The mum-of-four said: "I stay behind the park and it has been an ongoing issue. I have found a needle in my close and kids have discovered them while playing in the park.

"It is an issue because the needle exchange is right next to a children's playpark and Dunard Primary School."

Rachael has set up a petition calling for Lloyds Pharmacy to stop offering a needle exchange on their Maryhill Road branch which is yards from the school and children's playpark. She claims the park and nearby closes have become a magnet for those using drugs who fail to dispose of their needles leaving them uncapped and out in the open. Many users are also hanging around the Kirkland Street entrance of the park and it is claimed they are committing anti-social offences.     

She said: "My kids have even come into the house crying because they have witnessed users peeing up against a wall while they were playing in the park. 

"I feel recently more people have been using the needle exchange and I am not sure why.

"It has been really bad during the summertime, I don't know if it is because the weather isn't too bad."

She added: "As soon as the school shuts at 3 pm, almost all of the children go to the park. The park is heavily used by children, they are in it every day. The park is also used by the afterschool care.

"We need more police patrols and the needle exchange needs to be stopped at that pharmacy. There is plenty of pharmacies in the area that aren't close to a school or children's playpark. Having the needle exchange so close to them is ridiculous.

"We have had enough."

Another mum Christine Keegan added: "I have reported this everyday, sometimes several times a day to Police Scotland while the perpetrators are in the park drinking and injecting."

Rachael's also asked the school to educate the children on staying safe around needles. 

Police Scotland said they are aware of an increase in the number of incidents reported to them which have happened in the park. 

Local area commander Chief Inspector Scott McCarren said: "Officers have attended on a number of occasions. On one occasion three people were charged with consuming alcohol in a public place. 

"Our local problem-solving officers will continue to provide patrols to the park in an effort to deter anti-social behaviour."

READ MORE: Emergency response after girl, 3, pricked by uncapped needle on Glasgow bus

Their action comes after we reported last year that a three-year-old was pricked by an uncapped syringe on a bus heading to Summerston. 

Lloyds Pharmacy has been contacted for comment. 

You can sign the petition here 

*Was your child pricked by the needle? Contact stacey.mullen@newsqust.co.uk