Trump: Opioid crisis is a national emergency
Posted On: Aug. 11, 2017 12:03 PM CST
President Donald Trump has instructed his administration to “use all appropriate emergency and other authorities to respond to the crisis caused by the opioid epidemic,” according to a statement posted on the White House’s media site Thursday.
This follows the recommendations in the interim report from the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, the release states.
On Tuesday, President Trump told reporters that he plans to make opioid abuse a priority with stronger law enforcement measures and by working with the healthcare community, among other plans.
“We're also working with law enforcement officers to protect innocent citizens from drug dealers that poison our communities. Strong law enforcement is absolutely vital to having a drug-free society. I have had the opportunity to hear from many on the front lines of the opioid epidemic, and I'm confident that by working with our healthcare and law enforcement experts, we will fight this deadly epidemic and the United States will win,” he said, per a transcript available on the White House press news site.