COBLESKILL, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Sadly at least three people died this week alone from apparent drug overdoses.

A friend of one of those victims says she wants the heroin issue here discussed and wants to see a change.

“There’s a lot of epidemics. Heroin right now is the one that we’re battling,” Leann Loucks, of Cobleskill, said.

Loucks is fed up and taking a stand, speaking out about the drug overdose deaths in her area, this time claiming the life of a friend.

According to State Police 25-year-old Barron Ludewig, of Esperance, was found dead of an apparent drug overdose on Monday. With him, state police say was 20-year-old Taryn Jo Ildefonso who also died of an apparent overdose. On Tuesday, state police say 26-year-old Skyler Levesque died from what they believe was a drug overdose in Richmondville.

State Police are waiting on toxicology reports, but many including Loucks believe heroin is to blame.

“His smirk you’ll never see again. His laugh that will never make you laugh again. The fact that at his age he had a great job, he loved his truck and his sister was his best friend.”

Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond says it’s a losing battle.

“Right now honestly we’re not staying even with it and it’s just because of the limitations on manpower and resources so that’s sadly where we are.”

County 911 dispatcher David Houck answering those increased calls for drug overdoses.

“These days we’re getting them to be 20,21 22 years of age that are not responding and not breathing and its increasing in frequency which is very alarming and disturbing,’ Houck said.

Sheriff Desmond says he desperately needs funding to combat the issue.

“We could maybe pay some overtime to our deputies. We maybe could hire a couple more people,” Sheriff Desmond said.

There will be a vigil Wednesday night at 6:45 p.m. at the park in Cobleskill. It’s an awareness event with speakers including Assemblyman Pete Lopez.