A local drug treatment program is seeking to help fight against the opioid epidemic in the Bronx.

City government is investing $8 million in local drug and treatment programs to combat the opioid epidemic. One of those initiatives is the C.A.T.C.H program at NYC Health + Hospitals Lincoln.

City officials say overdose death rates in the Bronx increased nine percent from 2016 to 2017.

The C.A.T.C.H program started three months ago and is comprised of doctors, nurses, counselors, social workers and peer advocates who also work with individuals outside of the hospital.

The city's recent investment will also go towards the expansion of C.A.T.C.H.

The opioid treatment program also launched at six hospitals across the city with a goal to help and treat more than 8,000 patients a year.