A number of communities south of Boston are picking up the pace in the fight against opiate abuse by launching antidrug coalitions, devising new police strategy, and attracting hundreds to forums on heroin abuse.

These efforts represent rising suburban concern about addiction triggered by the widespread illegal distribution of prescription painkillers such as OxyContin, Percocet, and Vicodin, which, ­police warn, often lead users to heroin, a cheaper alternative.