As police fight against drug rings and dealers pushing heroin, local leaders and non-profits are taking a grassroots approach to halting the epidemic.

Last night hundreds filled the Pearl River Hilton for a symposium on the ongoing epidemic. The event, organized by nonprofit Wellcore, was named "The Perfect Storm."

The message to parents and children is that prescription drugs are becoming a gateway to heroin use. "It's really bad and I think it'll be good to try to get these people help," says Alyssa Hahr, of Pearl River.

Another event to tackle the issue of heroin and alcohol abuse will be held next month at Tappan Zee High School.