Heroin and the abuse of OxyContin is a very serious issue in Malden and the surrounding communities. Recognizing this fact and seeing young people die from drug overdoses, Malden city officials have put together a group to work on this problem. Locally, city leaders, school personnel, police officials, Hallmark Health, and many families are seeing first hand the devastating effects of this particular drug issue. OxyContin is a drug that is made by pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, and is not made on the streets or in home chemistry labs. It should be given to people with long-term pain such as cancer, severe back pain or broken bones, teeth problems or other short term pain issues. [continues 479 words]