Mackensie Scott
Addiction to Heroin and Opioids is a growing concern in Minnesota and across the rest of the country.
Officials say there were 43 deaths involving heroin last year in Duluth alone.
That alarming number prompted Senator Klobuchar to hold roundtable today to discuss the crisis and ways to tackle it.
Jessica Martin says she became addicted to opioids at the age of 13.
It wasn't long after she got hooked on heroin.
"From smoking heroin, I ended up in St. Mary's for 22 days and was debated and sedated with respiratory failure. When I woke up with that tube down my throat, I was really scared and told myself that it was the last time," said Jessica Martin, a Former Heroin Addict.
Martin survived and is now sharing her story in hopes of curbing the crisis.
Last year, 43 people died because of heroin abuse in Duluth.
It's that statistic that's propelling US Senator Amy Klobuchar to work on solutions to stop the crisis.
"This is really something that has increased exponentially in the last decade. And one of the most startling figures is that heroin addicts now, four out of five of them got their start with prescription drugs," said Sen. Klobuchar, (D) Minnesota.
For Martin, it was becoming pregnant with her daughter two years ago that she says gave her one last wake up call to change her ways and got help.
"I'm very fortunate to go through my addiction and come out in recovery with a life and beautiful daughter. I still have my struggles every day to stay sober but I have things today I never thought I'd have."
Police say there needs to be more education and resources for those who are addicted.
"We have a large poll of people in addiction in this area. We need to turn off the tap. We hear all about the young people like Jessica down there that are falling into that pool. Well, the education really needs to happen," said Lt. Jeff Kazel of the Duluth Police Department.
More education and treatment centers, to help people battle and defeat this deadly addiction.
Saint Louis County is also reiterating that there needs to be not just more treatment but longer treatment.
For those who are seeking treatment, the wait right now can be up to six weeks.