Experts call heroin a destructive and dangerous drug and now they say it has entered the suburbs, from Royersford, to Limerick and Norristown, even a couple from Lehigh County.
Police say heroin has become the suburban drug of choice. And along with it comes some devastating consequences.
"One shot could kill you," Montgomery County DA Risa Vetri Ferman told FOX 29. "We often say you're going to wind up either dead or in jail."
That played out just last week when police say Blake Bills and Shayna Sykes from Macungie went on a heroin fueled crime spree.
They allegedly stole two police cars and lead cops on three high speed chases in 48 hours.
Their arrest and the destruction they left behind made headlines for days.
"It's just unbelievable that two young people with apparently a very bad narcotics habit would go to those extremes," said Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk last week.
DA Ferman and others say heroin use is becoming an epidemic in the suburbs. It lead to 40 heroin deaths in Montgomery County alone last year and a wave of drug fueled crimes.
"We're seeing burglaries, criminal mischief. Theft. All sorts of things to get the money they need to fuel their habit," Ferman explained.
Ferman says it usually starts with teens getting hooked on prescription drugs. That can quickly escalate to heroin, because the drug is so cheap compared to prescription pills.
"We have to get to kids and their families before these addictions even start," she said
Next month the DA will install permanent prescription drug drop boxes at police stations across the county. She wants parents to turn in unused prescription pills to prevent their children from getting hooked on them.
"Don't leave unused medicine in your medicine cabinet, get rid of it," Ferman said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 5:17 PM EDT2013-06-18 21:17:37 GMT
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Lots of traffic and police activity, police cameras are everywhere. But that didn't stopped this armed robber from calmly walking into a Dunkin Donuts on camera Monday afternoon and sticking the place up.
Monday, June 17 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-06-17 21:18:27 GMT
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
"Very creepy" is the way neighbors are describing the most recent incidents involving a suspected prowler in Lumberton who has struck three times in the last couple of months.
Friday, June 14 2013 5:02 PM EDT2013-06-14 21:02:59 GMT
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Just hours after L&I building inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer ended his own life Wednesday night, sources say police found a videotape on which Wagenhoffer says "it wasn't my fault."
Thursday, June 13 2013 5:36 PM EDT2013-06-13 21:36:19 GMT
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy." With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
"We have now lost seven lives in connection with this tragedy."With those words, city officials confirmed the overnight suicide of License and Inspections Inspector Ronald Wagenhoffer.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 5:35 PM EDT2013-06-12 21:35:59 GMT
For the neighbors on the 6500 block of Crescentville Road this intersection with Cheltenham Avenue has been a nightmare. So much so, they can't even sit out on their front porches.
For the neighbors on the 6500 block of Crescentville Road this intersection with Cheltenham Avenue has been a nightmare. So much so, they can't even sit out on their front porches.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:42 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:42:28 GMT
Serena Williams is one of the world's top tennis stars, but now she is causing quite a stir off the court.She recently gave an interview to Rolling Stone where she made some controversial comments regarding
Serena Williams is one of the world's top tennis stars, but now she is causing quite a stir off the court.She recently gave an interview to Rolling Stone where she made some controversial comments regarding
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:38 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:38:35 GMT
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:27 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:27:56 GMT
An NFL player has reportedly been questioned as part of a murder investigation. Police say he's not a suspect, but they think he could shed some light on the crime.
An NFL player has reportedly been questioned as part of a murder investigation. Police say he's not a suspect, but they think he could shed some light on the crime.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:17 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:17:13 GMT
There will be a special investigative committee hearing Wednesday morning at City Hall regarding the deadly building collapse earlier this month in Center City.
There will be a special investigative committee hearing Wednesday morning at City Hall regarding the deadly building collapse earlier this month in Center City.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:23:12 GMT
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
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Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri-Ferman and other officials say heroin use is becoming an epidemic on some suburbs.
