Opioid Epidemic Needs to Be Declared a National Emergency, Says Special Commission

In an interim report created by the Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis, the White House panel urgently calls on President Trump to declare the U.S. opioid epidemic a national emergency. In addition to this plea, the panel makes several recommendations in areas of education, treatment access, funding appropriation and Medicaid changes.

“With approximately 142 Americans dying every day, America is enduring a death toll equal to September 11th every three weeks,” the panel writes. “Your declaration would empower your cabinet to take bold steps and would force Congress to focus on funding and empowering the Executive Branch even further to deal with this loss of life.” 

The final recommendations – expected in the Fall – if implemented, will ensure that the Federal Government operates as a strong partner in the fight against addiction and the opioid crisis.

To read the full report visit Whitehouse.gov.