Heroin Use, Overdose Deaths Increase In Boulder County

LONGMONT, Colo. (AP) — Boulder County law enforcement officials have seen an upsurge in heroin use and heroin-related deaths. Last week, police believe they arrested a drug dealer connected to an overdose death from earlier this year.

23-year-old Nina Schwartz has been arrested and is scheduled for a first appearance in her court case on June 12.

The Daily Times-Call reports hat Boulder police Sgt. Jeff Kessler says heroin has a large presence in the county and officials saw four deaths that appeared to be overdoses in the first two months of the year.

The Boulder County Coroner's Office reports that the number of deaths last year is double those from 2011 and 2012.

Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle says the spike is concerning and law enforcement is working to get those who are profiting from it.