The city of Yonkers launched a new program to prevent heroin abuse from starting and spreading.

The new Heroin Enforcement and Assistance Response Team (HEART) brings together the police, the city and St John's Riverside hospital to educate the community and provide assistance.

"It's an effort from multilevel departments all designed to give treatment to the individuals who are being affected by this and also hold those accountable who are committing crimes," says Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardener.

HEART Cards will be distributed around the city that explain where people can get help, tip police officers to illegal activities and more.

The program also includes prescription drug drop-off boxes, which are located at the city's four police precincts. All people have to do is drop in prescription medication, with no questions asked.

In less than a week, police have already collected 15 pounds of of pills.

Yonkers police plan on expanding their Narcan program, as well as reaching out to the community and school groups about the heroin epidemic.