Simi Valley addresses a heroin 'epidemic'

Photo by Robin Kanouse via Flickr Creative Commons

Simi Valley residents spoke to NBC LA about what's being calling a heroin "epidemic" in their middle and upper-middle class region. Some community members said they moved to the area to avoid "big city problems," but after 14 people died of heroin overdoses last year, it was time to search for solutions. Drug experts say a heroin epidemic in a place like Simi Valley often begins with children taking prescription medications found in their homes. They move on to other drugs when, according to local parent Michael Cook, they realize that "heroin is a lot cheaper and a lot easier to get." Community members and parents met Monday to discuss the critical situation at a city council meeting.