13 WHAM - "Less than an hour after President Donald Trump declared the heroin and opioid epidemic in the United States a national public health emergency, Gates Police said they arrested a mother who was about to shoot up heroin in her car with her three-year-old child in the backseat.
Gates Police said Jessie Duggan, 24, was preparing to inject herself with heroin when a concerned caller notified police.
Police say they got to Duggan before she was able to inject herself. When they arrived and got to her car, officers say they spotted a three-year-old child in the backseat of the running car.
Duggan is now charged with drug possession and child endangerment. Gates Police said they are also working to get her into addiction treatment.
Chief James VanBrederode said this kind of arrest shows the severity of the heroin and opioid epidemic.
"That’s what addiction looks like and to have that happen today, an hour before the president declared this a national emergency, I think just proves how big of an epidemic this really is," VanBrederode said.
After Duggan was arrested, police also arrested two suspected heroin dealers.
Gates Police said they have a drop-by program for anyone looking to get help for their heroin and opioid addiction. Anyone who needs help can head over to the Gates Town Hall with no questions asked."