A small pile of dirty syringes found near a playground on the East Side of Bridgeport triggered a response by the city Health Department Thursday.

"Working in partnership with the nonprofit Liberation programs -- whose mission is to help reduce addiction -- we organized an immediate cleanup effort in the area," said Dr. Elizabeth Rodriguez, of the Bridgeport Department of Health and Safety.

A passerby discovered the syringes.

"I found them in a park [at Barnum Avenue and William Street] while I was walking my dog at 6 a.m.," said Michel Martinez.

"I was worried a child might find them," Martinez said.

"It's important to treat drug users with dignity while keeping the public safe," said Mayor Joe Ganim.

John Hamilton, CEO of Liberation Programs, said the situation makes a strong argument for establishing public consumption sites in Connecticut for drug users.

"In Bridgeport today, we have public consumption sights -- it's called the Starbucks bathroom, or this park behind us -- and we can do better than that," said Hamilton.