HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) -- A photo of several used needles, and other drug paraphernalia, right near a local elementary school in Holyoke gained a lot of attention on social media on Tuesday.

Our crew visited the scene around 3:30 p.m. that afternoon, where the area of Saregent Street had been cleaned up. Western Mass News spoke with Tapestry Health officials in Holyoke on Tuesday, confirming that they were involved in cleaning up this mess.

While those specific items are no longer an issue, Holyoke residents tell us this is an ongoing issue in their neighborhood.

One resident named Searis Martinez tells us, “Even when we come out to walk our dog here is a lot of needles where I have to hold him, to where we cross the street where there is no needles or stuff thrown around the corner.”

Residents also express concern about the dangers these types of incidents pose for children living nearby.

Luis Gonzalez, another resident, says, “I’ve seen it where we live at and it’s kind of sad because there’s a lot of children that play back and it’ll be very bad if ones of those kids come out barefoot and they step on that.”

We asked Tapestry for more details on the dangers of these types of incidents, but we were referred to Tapestry’s Springfield office. At this time, we have not yet heard back, but we will keep you updated as more information comes to light.

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