Sen. Markey To Host Event On Drug Abuse In Mass.

U.S. Sen. Edward Markey is planning to hold a press conference with the heads of federal substance abuse agencies and local officials to discuss ways of addressing opioid addiction and prevent overdoses.

The Massachusetts Democrat said he wanted to bring together the officials, including the heads of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, to address what Markey described as the heroin and prescription drug epidemic plaguing Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett and Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley are also slated to attend.

The press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Boston Medical Center.

In March, Gov. Deval Patrick declared a public health emergency in the wake of rising opioid addictions and overdose deaths.