Several people have been spotted injecting drugs near a school in Manchester city centre.
Mum Kirsty Riley saw some drug users in a car park off Great Ancoats Street who in turns injected needles and then discarded them to the mountain of debris on the ground.
She took a picture as she dropped off her two children, aged five and seven, at school.
The car park is just metres away from the rear entrance to New Islington Free School, which first opened in 2014.
Kirsty said she sees the drug users on a daily basis and the sight has left her children frightened and confused.
She is also worried because the drug litter left on the ground is dangerous.
"It's disgusting and no one is doing a thing about it," she told the Manchester Evening News .
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"My daughter asked 'mummy why does that man have his trousers down?'
"I was speechless, I shouldn't have to explain that.
"Children should look forward to going to school and not have to see that."
Parents think drug users are choosing the car park because it is outside the Urban Village Medical Practice, a doctor's surgery that provides health care to the homeless and also attracts a number of patients with an addiction to heroin.
The clinic said the images of drug-taking are "very concerning" but the management believes "the majority" of those causing complaints are not patients at the surgery.
It is believed that most people using the clean needle exchange are taking steroids and Image Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), according to the Manchester Evening News.
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The secluded alleyways and canal towpaths of the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly Basin and Ancoats in Manchester have been a favoured spot for drug users for a long time.
Heroin use in the city centre is on the increase as the drug can be bought for as little as £5 a bag, it has been reported.
One New Islington resident told the Manchester Evening News: "Last Thursday, I counted a group of ten injecting at that spot [outside the doctor's surgery], a few with their pants down.
"Although it was reported at the health centre, they said that they 'cant do anything'!"
The Urban Village Practice said they are working with council and police to address the problem.
"It’s clearly very concerning to see such open drug use around our GP practice," the surgery said in a statement.
"It impacts on our patients, our staff and the people who live, work, and go to school in the local area.
"As a practice that works with the homeless population, we’re also concerned about the health of those taking drugs and the vulnerable position they are putting themselves in.
"As far as we are aware, the majority of the individuals are not registered with our Practice, or engaging with drug treatment.
"We continue to work closely with CGL, the organisation who run the needle exchange in the building and drug services across the city, Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police to address the current issues and make the area safer for all."
Greater Manchester Police are carrying out a number of operations aimed at tackling drug-dealing in the city centre, including Operation Gigg, which has been targeting Spice.
Undercover officers embedded themselves in the city centre drugs scene and brought down dealing duo Carl Loftus and Matthew Winward.
Chief Inspector Kirsten Buggy, from GMP’s City Centre Division said: "We understand concerns residents may have over drug use in and around the city centre and would like to reiterate our commitment to cracking down on crime in the area.
"Nobody should have to put up with behaviour which has a negative impact in their community and we remain committed to working together to keep the city centre a safe place for everyone.
"We have specific operations aimed at tackling persistent drug-dealing and antisocial behaviour hotspots across the city centre, which utilise high visibility patrols, beat sweeps and overt and covert operations to send a clear message to those committing these offences.
"It’s also crucial that we continue to work with partners, including Manchester City Council’s Antisocial Behaviour Action Team, the CPS and the courts to take drug dealers off the streets.
"We continue to develop improved partnerships with health and support services including the voluntary sector, ensuring that when responding to vulnerable members of our community we can offer the best possible help and support.
"As our patrols and operations are based on the intelligence and information we receive, which allows us to consider potential risks and hotspot areas; we do need the continued support of the community in reporting incidents via the LiveChat facility on the GMP website or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency."
A Manchester Council spokesperson said: "The Council is acutely aware of the fact that many people who sleep rough in Manchester have very complex and chaotic lives, and their vulnerability increases the longer they are on the streets.
"As a result, they are more likely to be targeted by drug dealers who regard them as nothing more than a way to make money.
"We are determined – with our partners and Greater Manchester Police – to crack down on drug dealing in this area.
"At the same time we will support vulnerable people to access services that will give them more stability and ensure that their behaviour does not cause distress to others.
"We will also take the necessary enforcement action to prevent anti social behaviour."
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