In 2014, Governor Shumlin devoted his State of the State speech to what he called "a full-blown heroin crisis" in Vermont. Nearly two years later, heroin is still a massive problem in the state. We're looking at the latest on the state's battle against heroin, and at the dangerous links between the drug trade and sex trafficking.
We're talking to Detective Lieutenant John Merrigan - commander of the Vermont State Police Narcotics Investigation Unit - about heroin in Vermont. And to U.S. Attorney Eric Miller and assistant U.S. Attorney Heather Ross - co-chair of the Vermont Human Trafficking Taskforce - about the ties between the drug trade and sex trafficking.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has launched a new campaign against drug and sex trafficking. The website is www.ucanstoptraffick.org.
What do you see in your community? Does heroin still have a hold on our state? Comment below or write us at vermontedition@vpr.net.
Also on the program: an exhibition at the Bennington Museum showcases architect Tom Leytham's watercolors of buildings from Vermont's industrial past. We talk to the artist.
Broadcast live on Thu., Nov. 5, 2015 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
