BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- It's a case of good news, bad news for Southern Tier communities.

Police responded to far fewer heroin and opioid-related calls this year. But instead, they're seeing an uptick in another drug -- meth.

Two weeks ago in Broome County, police seized four pounds from a deposit home.

Monday morning in Chenango County, the narcotics unit recovered the same amount from a Norwich home.

"The people who are pushing this stuff bring it into the area. They sell it to the people who suffer from drug addiction and of course it's for a good price," said Kathleen Newcomb, Broome County Sheriff's Office Captain.

While crystal meth is on the rise, the days of one pot meth labs could be behind us.

Statewide, police are seeing a decrease in arrests, due in part, to new laws cracking down on buying ingredients to make the drug.

"Now you have to show your driver’s license and so on and so forth so that's kind of helped stymie the clandestine labs," said Newcomb.

According to the sheriff's office, meth is three times more addictive than cocaine and you can become addicted from just two uses of the drug.

"It releases the dopamine and the adrenaline in your brain and it kind of rewires you brain and you become addicted to it," said Newcomb.

The increase is also being linked to supply and demand. Drug users are turning to meth to counteract their prior addictions.

Newcomb believes the solution lies in treatment.

"There needs to be a greater focus on their mental health well-being, treatment, and helping them manage the anxiety in their lives so they don’t turn to these substances," said Newcomb.

The two Southern Tier busts landed four people in jail.

Earlier this year, a federal meth investigation landed eight people from Broome County in state prison.