News 12's Tara Rosenblum was invited to speak at a Thiells school about the continued rise of heroin and its deadly grip on young lives in the area.

Rosenblum was asked to return to Kevin Metcalf's social studies class at North Rockland High School to discuss what has changed since News 12's "Hooked on Heroin" series aired last year.

When the students were asked whether they know how to buy heroin or someone who has used it, about 75 percent of them raised their hands. That's an alarming number given the recent crackdown on an epidemic that has already claimed hundreds of young lives across the Hudson Valley.

One student said that a co-worker at a local ShopRite supermarket offered him heroin just a week ago.

Another student said that teens need to get more active when it comes to helping each other stay away from the drug.