Community volunteers in Boston's South End collected nearly 180 discarded needles in less than a week from a neighborhood park, highlighting ongoing concerns about public drug use in the area, Boston.com reported.

Steve Fox, a South End advocate, said volunteers picked up the needles over six days along the Southwest Corridor Park, according to the report published November 2.

The cleanup effort came just days after South End residents held a public safety meeting at Cathedral High School on October 23, where they called on city officials to
address drug dealing and public drug use in the area, Boston.com reported.

City Councilor Ed Flynn told the outlet that open drug dealing and illegal drug use cannot be tolerated in the neighborhood. Flynn advised residents to call 311 to report discarded needles.

The Southwest Corridor Park includes playgrounds and walking paths used by neighborhood families.

The needle collection effort underscored concerns raised at the recent community meeting about conditions spilling over from the Mass and Cass area, where the city has struggled to address homelessness, addiction, and related public safety issues.