An image has emerged of two young men passed out in a busy city centre subway holding what appear to be heroin syringes in their hands.

They were pictured slumped up against a wall near Belfast's Albert Clock early on Thursday evening surrounded by drug paraphernalia.

The photograph, which has been widely shared on social media, has been referred to as a symbol of the drug scourge sweeping the country.

Images have emerged of two young men passed out in a busy city centre subway holding heroin syringes in their hands

The use of heroin in Northern Ireland has dramatically increased in recent years, especially in Belfast.

At the time this picture was taken the area was swarming with clubbers who were in town to see house DJ Timmy Trumpet perform at nearby Custom House Square.

Many young teenagers walked past the oblivious pair, looking on in horror when they saw the needles sticking out of their arms.

One source said: 'Inside the gig was great. No trouble at all inside but outside it was madness, seeing young kids lying with needles hanging out of their arms is just as unbelievable as it is horrifying.

'Drugs are getting worse, the PSNI really need to get a grip on this, more needs to be done. This image is the reality of how serious our drug problem is.'