Carbon County ranks fifth in the state in overdose related deaths.

To fight this growing epidemic, state Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) announced today that he will be introducing a resolution to establish a task force examining opiate prescription drug proliferation and the heroin epidemic across Pennsylvania.During a press conference in front of the Carbon County Courthouse, Heffley spoke about this growing epidemic and how it affects families and society.He was joined by state Rep. Kurt Masser (R-107), whose neice died of an overdose; as well as representatives from state Sen. John Yudichak's office and the Carbon County Commissioners.Grab a copy of Friday's TIMES NEWS for a complete story.