A week after News 12 cameras found syringes and other drug paraphernalia littering St. Mary's Park, city and local groups stepped in and cleaned it up.

When News 12 returned Friday, the grounds looked very different. Just last week, there were dozens of needles scattered near the children's playground, and drug users were even shooting up within sight of news cameras.

Problems intensified at the park after police raided a nearby drug den known as the "Hole." Neighbors say they think drug users started to use the park as an alternative.

The Parks Department says workers cleaned up about 50 syringes Friday alone. 

The group Boom!Health also sent representatives to St. Mary's to raise awareness about heroin and how to respond to apparent overdoses. The group also offers Narcan training. Narcan is a lifesaving antidote to opioid overdoses.

Off camera, a self-proclaimed addict told News 12 he and other users have agreed not to leave syringes behind in the future for the sake of children playing at the park.