PORTLAND -- A heavy cloud looms over Reed College, as a forum is held to address a recent heroin-related death.
Two weeks ago, Physics mayor and senior Sam Tepper was found dead in his off-campus apartment. He died from a heroin overdose.
"It's a storm of emotions anytime a student on campus dies, " said Stephen von Kugelgen, Reed College junior.
It's not the first time Reed College has had to deal with a heroin-related death. Another student died from a heroin overdose two years ago.
"We are in mourning, " said Mike Brody, Dean of Students, "We're doing as well as can be expected."
On Monday, the state medical examiner released alarming numbers showing heroin deaths in Oregon are way up. Prosecutors haven't seen these numbers since 2000.
"It's a real epidemic," said Dwight Holton, Oregon U.S. Attorney, "For the price of a six pack, they can buy heroin."
He said Mexican cartels were selling black tar heroin for cheap and aggressively marketing the drug.
"It's a pizza delivery kind of marketing. You call and they (drug dealers) deliver directly to you."
He said more and more young people were using heroin.
"It doesn't surprise me, " said Deborah Zwetchlenbaum, an assistant director at the Oregon Partnership. "We get a lot of phone calls from people struggling with heroin."
She said parents should step in, if they notice their kids are stealing and if money is missing.
Back at Reed College, school leaders were holding a forum to get students talking about heroin and how deadly it can be. Tests and finals keep students busy.
"People just try to cope.," said one student.
If you have a loved one in crisis, call Oregon Partnership at 1-800-923-HELP.
