On Wednesday March 29, 2017 President Trump announced that his administration would be creating a new task force which would address the growing heroin and opioid epidemic.
“Drug abuse has become a crippling problem throughout the United States,” said President Donald Trump.
President Trump selected New Jersey Governor Chris Christie to spearhead the commission.
The task force mission is to partner with state and local governments to determine the best methods available or come up with new ways to fight the heroin and opioid abuse problem, which kills an estimated 91 Americans every day.
“I’m thrilled to work with the attorney general…on issues of prevention and interdiction of drugs so that we don’t get people hooked in the first place,” says Governor Christie.
The Growing Opioid Epidemic
This new commission is being created in the most opportune time, as heroin use and option abuse in the United States is continuing to skyrocket.
Columbia University researchers have found that heroin abuse has risen five-fold in the past decade. According to researchers, the biggest jump is among Caucasians between 18 and 44 years of age. The study shows that the trend has been fueled in part by the misuse of opioid prescription drugs.
The Trump administration’s anti-drug task force will also focus on increased law enforcement and addiction treatment.
A report centered around the opioid crisis and potential solutions is one of the immediate actions items of the commission and is expected to be completed by October.