Syringes used by drug addicts can be found scattered all over the area near the Capuchin's church in Floriana.

Mayor Publius Agius said when contacted yesterday that the Floriana council was aware of the situation and it was very worried about it.

"The drug problem is killing us. Syringes are distributed by the health centres and drug addicts use them as soon as they get their hands on them, whatever the time of day," he said.

"We have raised the problem with the police drug squad and certain areas which were unlit are now being lit but the problem moves from one area of Floriana to another."

Mr Agius said the council had discussed the problem of criminality in Floriana in general, focusing on the drug problem, and he would soon be presenting a report to the police and the Home Affairs Ministry.

He pointed out that recently the police elevated syringes even from the toilets at the playing field, a place used by children.

He complained that the Floriana police station was always closed. The council had had to contract wardens to provide security at King George V Garden because of a lack of police presence, he said.