The Obama administration has instructed federal agencies to begin taking a number of actions this week to address the national prescription painkiller and heroin epidemic. “During Prescription Drug and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week, we pause to remember all those we have lost to opioid use disorder, we stand with the courageous individuals in recovery, and we recognize the importance of raising awareness of this epidemic,” President Barack Obama said in a statement. Deaths linked to addictive opioid drugs have increased more than fourfold since 1999, accounting for more deaths in 2012 than heroin and cocaine combined.