Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Gov. Terry McAuliffe

BRISTOL, Va. (AP) _ State leaders are asking Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe to establish a statewide task force to tackle growing heroin use in the state.

The Bristol Herald Courier reports that Virginia’s U.S. senators and 10 congressmen sent a letter to McAuliffe this week.

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith said that he’s had reports of increased heroin problems in the 9th District.

Griffith said a statewide effort would help law enforcement work together and get federal money to help tackle this issue.

A McAuliffe spokeswoman said addressing the spread of heroin is important to the governor and he’s tasked state officials to find ways to combat the crisis.