Donald Trump declares US opioid crisis a national health emergency - but guarantees no extra funds to fight it

'Epidemic': Donald Trump announced plans to tackle the scourge of opioid addiction
REUTERS
Eleanor Rose26 October 2017

Donald Trump has declared America's opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency in a step that will mean new measures to fight the scourge that kills nearly 100 Americans a day.

But critics slammed the announcement as empty words as it does not guarantee any extra funding to tackle the problem.

"This epidemic is a national health emergency," Trump said in a speech at the White House, where he warned that crisis he said had spared no segment of American society.

"As Americans we cannot allow this to continue," he said.

Administration officials have made clear that the declaration, which lasts for 90 days and can be renewed, comes with no extra spending. But they said it will allow them to use existing money to better fight the crisis.

Officials also said they would urge Congress, during end-of-the year budget negotiations, to add new cash to a public health emergency fund that Congress hasn't replenished for years.

The Public Health Emergency Fund currently contains just $57,000, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Officials would not disclose how much they were seeking.

Critics said it wasn't enough.

"How can you say it's an emergency if we're not going to put a new nickel in it?" said Dr Joseph Parks, medical director of the nonprofit National Council for Behavioural Health, which advocates for addiction treatment providers.

First lady Melania Trump introduces the US president as he announces plans to tackle the opioid crisis
REUTERS

"As far as moving the money around that's like robbing Peter to pay Paul," he added.

Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi also was critical, calling the new declaration "words without the money."

As a presidential candidate, Trump pledged to make fighting addiction a priority, and pressed the issue in some of the states hardest hit.

"When I won the New Hampshire primary, I promised the people of New Hampshire that I would stop drugs from pouring into your communities.

"I am now doubling down on that promise, and can guarantee you we will not only stop the drugs from pouring in, but we will help all of those people so seriously addicted get the assistance they need to unchain themselves," Trump told a crowd in Maine weeks before last November's election.

Once in office, Trump assembled a commission, led by Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, to study the problem.

The commission's interim report argued an emergency declaration would free additional money and resources, but some in Trump's administration disagreed.

Christie, in a statement, said Trump was taking "bold action" that shows "an unprecedented commitment to fighting this epidemic and placing the weight of the presidency behind saving lives across the country."

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