An 18-year-old student in Dolores died of a presumptive heroin overdose in mid-August, as reported by The Journal last week. Though toxicology reports are still ongoing for this case, Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin told KSJD that this was one of five heroin-related deaths in Montezuma County this year, and that the problem is not getting any better.
He said that heroin is not the only issue-- people are abusing prescription opioids as well. KSJD's Austin Cope talked with Nowlin to hear more about the increasing problem of heroin addictions in Montezuma County.
Author's note: the text of this story has been updated to reflect the ongoing nature of the investigation.