NEW YORK - The opioid epidemic has been declared a national crisis, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions landed at John F. Kennedy airport on Friday to address the issue.

He says the Department of Justice is targeting doctors and pharmacies that over-prescribe opioid painkillers.

The NYPD responded to more than 1,400 cases of overdoses last year, a 46 percent increase from 2015.

Sessions says we have a crisis on our hands, and the city has been hit hard.

"For Americans under the age of 50, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death. That is a remarkable statistic. New York has not been immune, between 2014 and '15 drug overdose deaths went up by 20 percent in New York," Sessions said.

Sessions highlighted "National Take Back Prescription Drugs Day", which takes place Saturday.

New Yorkers will be able to drop off their unwanted prescription drugs, no questions asked.