CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — When it comes to heroin, prevention is the best strategy, but treatment works and recovery is possible, New Hampshire’s medical and law enforcement communities say.

The state Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services released a report Wednesday describing how use of the highly addictive drug is reaching epidemic proportions in New Hampshire ”“ and across the country. But it also includes information on ways to curb the problem, starting with urging health clinics, schools and businesses to educate patients, students and employees about the drug’s dangers. The report also calls on policymakers and providers to better integrate substance abuse treatment with primary health care.

“The good news is that there are treatments, and the treatments work,” said Dr. Ben Nordstrom, director of Addiction Services at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

Overdose deaths are on the rise, as are burglaries, robberies and assaults associated with drug seeking. According to the state police, 13 percent of traffic stops and arrests that led to blood or urine tests involved heroin.

“It is clear from forensics data and recent spikes on overdoses and deaths that we are in the midst of an epidemic of heroin use, and law enforcement alone simply cannot solve this complex issue,” said New Hampshire State Police Co. Robert Quinn.

The number of people admitted to state-funded treatment programs for heroin addiction has grown by 90 percent in the last decade, with the sharpest increase between 2012 and last year, when 1,540 people were treated. According to hospital emergency department data maintained by the state Department of Health and Human Services, the number of heroin-related deaths increased from 14 to 45 between 2010 and 2013.

Officials say the increase may be due in part to people who are addicted to prescription pain medications switching to heroin because it is cheaper and more available.

Comments are not available on this story.