Federal Officials Discuss Heroin Crisis In Taunton

A recent surge in heroin overdoses in Taunton has shed light on an epidemic that has plagued the state and nation.

Massachusetts Democratic Sen. Edward Markey and White House Drug Policy Director Gil Kerlikowske met with local officials, first responders and parents of addicts at the Taunton Central Fire Station on Monday to discuss how to attack the issue.

With 64 overdoses and five deaths reported in Taunton just this year, Senator Markey says its time for action....

Participants agreed that treatment and preventative care should be the main focus, and Senator Markey says he's filing a bill to improve both those areas. Kerlikowske says arresting users will not solve the problem.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says prescription drug and heroin fatalities in the U.S. surpass homicides and traffic deaths.