New York State Crime Stoppers announced it is now joining the fight against the growing heroin epidemic in the Hudson Valley.

Today in Pelham, law enforcement officials announced the launch of a new Drug Tips Reward program. The program allows the public to anonymously give tips to law enforcement to help solve crimes and in some cases receive a cash reward for their help. "We've been successful in so many other areas, and we want to be part of the overall cumulative solution," says Robert Pavone, of Crime Stoppers.

Heroin use, sales, and related overdose deaths have risen to disturbing levels in the Hudson Valley, and police say they can use all the help they can get in their war against the highly addictive and deadly drug. "Getting that intel into the hands of law enforcement allows us to open up investigations that we might not otherwise be able to," says State Police Capt. John Ryan. "We expect to really be able to make a dent in this heroin epidemic and take down some of these drug dealers based on this information," adds Westchester County Police Capt. Chris Calabrese.

In addition to their hotline, Crime Stoppers also has a free mobile app that can be downloaded. They say they want to make it as easy as possible for people to come forward and help them stop the heroin epidemic.