MARSHFIELD - A recent home invasion in which three men were tied up and one was severely injured was the latest drug-related crime in Marshfield, where the police chief says such crimes have been steadily increasing.

"Not only have our calls for service increased, but the severity of the crimes has increased," Chief Phil Tavares said.

In the past 18 months, Marshfield has had a murder, five armed home invasions, a stabbing and a string of robberies. Tavares said drugs can't be blamed for all of those crimes, but he said a drug epidemic is overextending his police force.

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