Heroin and opioid addiction in our neighborhoods

Guests:  Jeremiah Daley and David Fialko

The Philadelphia region has seen an alarming increase in prescription drug addiction and overdoses, particularly among teenagers. Painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet and Oxycodone have been readily available to young people and are perceived to be less harmful than other drugs. However, in recent years, as law enforcement authorities have launched efforts to combat the illegal use of these opioids, pills have become more expensive on the street and users have turned to cheaper heroin as an alternative. The epidemic has taken a particularly significant toll among suburban youth with many local counties reporting an increase in heroin-related deaths. We’ll explore how and why opioid and heroin use has become so prevalent and what is being done to control its use and availability. Joining us to talk about it are JEREMIAH DAILY, executive director of the Philadelphia-Camden High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program and DAVID FIALKO, a prevention specialist at The Council of Southeast Pennsylvania.

(AP Photo/Mel Evans)