Heroin: The poisoning of America
Updated 1535 GMT (2335 HKT) October 17, 2016
The United States is battling the biggest heroin epidemic in decades. CNN's Deborah Feyerick traveled the country to find the people and the towns fighting the war against the drug that has taken on a new, powerful form and is indiscriminately claiming the lives of thousands.
THE BORDER
From the air, to the sea and even underground, law enforcement is on a never-ending mission to stop drugs from crossing our borders. At the forefront of that struggle is the nation's busiest border crossing: The San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego, California.
How heroin gets across the border 04:36
THE TOWN
About 30,000 people live in the St. Louis suburb of Kirkwood, Missouri. Heroin deaths in this county are nearly four times the national average.
From honor student to heroin addict 04:52
THE FIGHTER
Cuyahoga County, Ohio is on track to see its highest number of heroin- and fentanyl-related deaths in its history. Dr. Joan Papp is on the front lines -- not only treating overdoses, but also trying to prevent them.
One doctor's crusade against heroin 04:50
THE LAB
When drugs are seized on the streets of New Hampshire, they're taken to this lab in Concord for testing as evidence for prosecutors. The lab is working through a backlog of about 3,400 cases.
One small lab's big fight against heroin 03:38
