New York state was second in the nation for opioid overdose deaths in 2015 with more than 2,700, up from 562 in 2005. Earlier this year, the Legislature and Cuomo inserted $214 million in the state budget to boost treatment and prevention programs around the state. "We need prevention, proper treatment and support for those in recovery, and we need to properly punish those that are bringing this drug onto our streets, and into our schools." Laree had only used heroin for four months and tried repeatedly to stay clean after rehabilitation, her mother said. "Education, awareness, rehabilitation, I'm behind all those things," says Farrell, who has miniature replicas of anti-heroin billboards on her mantel.

Source: ABC News June 18, 2017 14:44 UTC