U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said the heroin overdose death rate in New York State increased 30 percent in 2015.
Schumer is asking the Drug Enforcement Agency to release one of four special heroin enforcement teams to New York State.
The teams which are still being developed, combat opioid addiction in states recognized as having the highest drug threat. New York State has 24 counties listed as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas.
Erie and Chautauqua counties are on that list.
