What was supposed to be a fun summer birthday party turned into a nightmare for Southie mom Caroline Flynn and her young children. On July 11, while playing barefoot on the greenie near Columbia Road and Mercer Street, Caroline’s 4-year-old son ran out of the play zone and let out a scream — a needle was sticking out of his foot.

According to the Boston Herald, the family rushed to Boston Medical Center, spending nearly eight hours in the ER. Her son had to undergo X-rays, extensive blood work, and is now on a month-long regimen of HIV prevention meds — a tough process for any adult, let alone a toddler. The family will be back at the infectious disease unit next week for more testing, with follow-ups already on the calendar.

The Herald reports that South Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn called the incident “a parent’s worst nightmare” and argued “nobody can credibly say that everything is getting better.”

“The drug crisis we have in our neighborhoods must be met with the full force of law enforcement,” said Councilor Flynn. “Zero tolerance for drug use, drug dealing, human trafficking and violence. To do otherwise would allow for more vulnerable people to be victimized, while public order and quality of life for law abiding Bostonians continues to deteriorate.”

Senator Nick Collins told NBC10 Boston, “We need to do more on making sure that discarded needles are not lying around in the streets and parks,” said Massachusetts Sen. Nick Collins. “I think it speaks to the impact of the opioid epidemic, and this is considered collateral damage, and what can happen when it’s out of control.”

You can read more details here.