A mother-of-four has told of her fears after her eight-year-old son found a used drugs syringe outside their family home.

Samantha Smith says it is only a matter of time before an unsuspecting child's life is "ruined" by touching a dirty needle.

Ms Smith, of Wells Gardens on Basildon's Craylands Estate, says it is not the first time needles have been found near her home. She said: "In a way it was very lucky my eight-year-old son found the drug needle and not one of my younger children.

"He is old enough to know he mustn't touch but my four-year-old daughter would not think twice because she is young and doesn't understand."

She said it was about time more was done to rid the streets of the problem. The 25-year-old blames careless drug users on the estate and says they need to be dealt with before a child ends up in hospital.

Sgt Mark Estall, at Basildon police, said they take a very strong stance against people who take drugs and deal with them as and when they can.

He said: "Unfortunately in any area there are a number of drug users and some do use needles. We request the drug users become more responsible and dispose of these items appropriately."

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