The task force appointed by Governor Charlie Baker to investigate the heroin epidemic in Massachusetts is holding a public meeting Thursday at Greenfield Community College.
The public meeting scheduled from 4 pm-6 pm at the Dining Common is the only western Massachusetts stop on a statewide listening tour by the 17-member panel.
The task force is to present its findings by the end of May.
Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said the depth of the problem has to be understood before solutions can be suggested.
"So, we will begin that conversation. It is a very high priority for the Baker-Polito administration," she said.
The Massachusetts Health Department reported 946 deaths blamed on drug overdoses last year, a 46 percent increase from the previous year.
