Used syringes and wrappers found at the front of multiple homes at Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket

Residents of three up-market inner-Brisbane suburbs are fed up and feeling helpless after finding used syringes at the front of their houses.

A view from Brisbane’s northside. Some residents of Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket are on edge after finding used syringes near their homes.

Residents of three inner northern Brisbane suburbs are fed up and feeling “unsettled” and “helpless” after finding used syringes at the front of their houses several times in the past few months.

People living in Windsor, Wilston and Newmarket have reported the recent trend, with some feeling like it may be time to move.

Christine, of Windsor, said she had found used syringes three times in the past few months.

“We have recently noticed used syringes and syringe wrappers near our garage at the front of our house,” she said.

“The used syringes were found in a bin where our sons store their collected bottles and cans to return for a refund.”

Human hand of a drug addict and a syringe with narcotic syringe lying on the floor.

The latest incident has left her feeling not safe in her own home.

“(I’m) unsettled but also a bit helpless when it comes to not knowing what we’re really meant to do about this,” she said.

“The idea of someone using illicit drugs out front of our house, only metres away from where our kids are sleeping, makes us really uncomfortable.”

Christine said she didn’t know what to do about it with cameras and lights not working.

“We are more strongly considering leaving the area in an effort to find somewhere safer,” she said.

“The proximity to the train line and the amount of illegal activity in the area seems to be a real problem.”

Another Wilston resident, Jessie, said she has also noticed syringes lying around her second property in Newmarket.

“It is very bad for the kids if they step on it,” she said.

“My kid is usually going outside playing around.”

Since both residents have found syringes outside their homes, multiple residents have taken to social media saying they have noticed the same.

“We’ve had the same issue with finding syringes in our garden on Wilston Rd. Not great,” one resident said.

A Queensland police spokesperson said if anyone discovered a syringe that had been improperly disposed of, they were encouraged to follow procedures set out by council and Queensland Health.

“Under this legislation (Queensland Health’s Drugs Misuse Act) anyone failing to dispose of a syringe as per the prescribed procedures may face up to two years’ imprisonment,” the spokesperson said.

“However, if police are made aware of multiple reports of syringes being improperly disposed of in the area, officers will take appropriate steps to incorporate the address into their regular patrols to discourage this behaviour from reoccurring.”

The spokesperson said when officers come across syringes on patrol they ensure proper care is taken and dispose them in approved sharps container.

“The sealed sharps containers are then disposed of at a Queensland Health recommended facility,” they said.