As concern around discarded needles in public places continues to loom over Niagara, some groups are doing all they can to keep the public safe.
Photos of the wayward needles have been snapped by several residents and shared on social media.
Executive Director of Positive Living Niagara Glen Walker says the issue seems so prevalent because we are starting to pay more attention to it.
"We certainly are hearing more about what's going on, however we're not really seeing a dramatic increase in the number of needles being left around in the community. It's just a matter, for us, of people being more aware and talking about it."
Walker also touts the usefulness of programs such as Positive Living's needle exchange program, StreetWorks.
"Here in the Niagara Region we have well over a 70% return rate for all of these needles that are being distributed just through Positive Living Niagara itself."
Although Walker admits there is still a small group of people who continue to improperly cast away their used needles, he says local community groups are working to clean those up as well.
"So we're actually having a fairly positive impact in trying to get ahead of the fact that these needles are out there if people are irresponsible. We do have some groups going around checking and picking these up."