Opioid abuse is on the rise in Marion and Rochester, but health officials said a new collaboration may help alleviate the problem.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health awarded New Bedford’s Health Department $550,000 to launch the Opioid Prevention Coalition-South Coast.

In addition to Marion and Rochester, the group includes health officials from New Bedford, Dartmouth and Wareham.

The coalition is tasked with reducing deaths and hospital visits related to opioid misuse, addiction and overdoses.

Kathy Downey, of the Marion/Rochester Health District, said her department is aware that opioids, such as painkillers and heroin, are more prevalent.

“The problem has increased in both communities,” said Downey, the district’s public health nurse. “We recognize it’s going to get worse.”

The district’s share of the grant is a modest $1,300. Downey said the money would be used to assess drug programs and policies throughout the area. That information will identify available resources.

Downey said the collaboration is more important than the money.

“The more we talk, the greater strength we have,” she said.

Downey identified two successful programs already in place. In Marion, residents have access to a 24-hour drug take back program and an initiative that collects needles and syringes.

Implementing those types of programs elsewhere is part of the coalition’s goal.

“We want to explore what will be the most beneficial for our communities,” Downey said.

New Bedford’s grant is part of $1.8 million cities and towns received across the state to develop similar coalitions.

According to the Department of Health, fatal opioid overdoses increased 90 percent in Massachusetts from 2000 to 2012.

“You’d be a fool to think that’s not going to impact us,” Downey said. “We know we’re not going to be immune.”