During the debate Saturday night, the Democratic candidates took a break from discussing income inequality and ISIS to instead address the growing heroin epidemic in the U.S., connecting it to a strong prescription medicine addiction that has been present in America for years.

Bernie, Hillary, and O’Malley seemed united on the issue, condemning the U.S. trend of over-prescribing hard opiates which cause addiction in record numbers.

Bernie Sanders called drug addiction a “disease,” not a crime, echoing recent comments from GOP candidate Chris Christie.

In this issue, Democrats seem completely unified: America is in crisis and intervention is necessary.

Watch.

Democratic Candidates Extremely Worried About Heroin EpidemicAll of the Democratic candidates are seriously worried about the rising heroin epidemic

Posted by NowThis Election on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Sydney Robinson is a political writer for the Ring of Fire Network. She has also appeared in political news videos for Ring of Fire. Sydney has a degree in English Literature from the University of West Florida, and has an active interest in politics, social justice, and environmental issues. She would love to hear from you on Twitter @SydneyMkay or via email at srobinson@ringoffireradio.com