DEESIDE families are being destroyed by drugs; a councillor has said.

Councillors across Connah’s Quay and Shotton have expressed their frustration as yet more drug paraphernalia has been left scattered across their towns.

Cllr Mike Evans, of Shotton, told the Leader: “Unfortunately, it’s like going to buy a Mars Bar, it’s as easy as that to get hold of.

“In Deeside it’s rife and wrecking our town and our community. It’s the whole of Deeside. The knock-on effect is unbelievable, it’s wrecking families.

“It’s pitiful. People say typical Deeside now and the change over the last 20 years but more recently, has increased vastly.

“People feel intimidated, they are coming out and walking back home, it’s not fair and it’s in the daytime as well. It’s giving us a bad reputation that we don’t deserve.

“I’ve seen a vast improvement but it’s banging your head against a wall. I hope (Inspector) Gareth Cust doesn’t hit that wall, I hope he knocks it down, he can borrow my bulldozer. I back what they do but they can only do so much.

“It’s a society change. Young ones see it as the norm. I have no answers, we just have to keep fighting.”

Discarded needles were also found around the back of Connah’s Quay precinct and Cllr Gill Faulkner, of Connah’s Quay town council, said she is constantly reporting the issue to police.

She added: “People can’t take their dogs for a walk or children out. We are worried about it.

“Connah’s Quay is a lovely place, there’s so many lovely people here and it’s those past couple of years it’s gone downhill. I’ve been reporting it for years.

“People born and bred in Connah’s Quay they are really disheartened by the comments from people in other areas saying it’s a bad place to live.

“People won’t walk round the rock but it’s beautiful scenery it’s a shame.

“The police do a fantastic job, but the thing is there’s not enough people in the area, they can’t be everywhere at once.”

Cllr Martin White said he visited the site on Tuesday night and cleared the area with equipment from the local pharmacy – finding five needles.

He told the Leader: “I was also told by one of the staff at the Pharmacy that there were discarded needles at the Memorial Garden which is located behind the Job Centre.

“I have been to check there this morning and cannot find any evidence of drug use there. I have also asked Streetscene to take a look also.

“I urge to general public to report anything suspicious to the police through the usual channels.”

Residents have also expressed their concerns regarding the 'serious issue' that is affecting their town.

The Leader previously reported that Jack Sargeant, AM for Alyn and Deeside walked around the Deeside area with Inspector Cust to talk about hotspot areas and the work police are doing.

Mr Sargeant will also be writing to the inspector regarding the recent issue.

North Wales Police continues to work with multi-partner agencies to combat the issue and are urging people who find drug related litter to report it by calling the freephone number on 0808 808 2276 or online at www.drugslitterline.org.uk.