Another sign that the opioid abuses crisis in New Bedford has reached epidemic proportions. At least five drug overdoses have been reported in New Bedford since Tuesday.

Also, a 50 year old woman was found dead Thursday from an apparent overdose.

PAACA Director Carl Alves says there are hundreds of families on the Southcoast with loved ones addicted to pain-killing drugs or heroin. He's urging those families to reach out for help. "The only way to overcome it is by shining light on it, talking about it, and addressing it as it happens," says Alves, "let the families that are struggling with this reach out to gain help and there is a lot of help out there."

Alves says families should be talking with medical people, treatment centers, clergy and anyone else that can help. A list of resources can be found at "drugfreenb.org"

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