Uprise in heroin overdoses

Within the past 6 months, I know two people who have passed from heroin overdoses. I learned yesterday that one of my good friend's boyfriends overdosed and is now in a coma on life support. They have two kids together. Have you all noticed an uprise in it as well? This is a huge problem and I'm wondering what can be done to stop it. Why is it happening? My moms friend lost her 18 year old daughter to it...