Shaheen Statement on President Trump's Opioid Commission: Trump’s “policies in regards to the opioid crisis are in desperate need of a course correction"

(Washington, DC)—Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement as President Trump prepares to announce a commission, led by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, to recommend actions to address the opioid epidemic:

“I welcome the establishment of this commission and am committed to working with the administration to battle the opioid epidemic,” said Shaheen. “But this administration’s policies in regards to the opioid crisis are in desperate need of a course correction and I hope this commission will help facilitate a turnaround before New Hampshire’s efforts are severely undermined. There is a massive gulf between President Trump’s promises to tackle this crisis and the policies this administration has proposed during his first two months in office. The President just tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act, ending Medicaid expansion, which would have taken away substance misuse and mental health treatment from thousands of Granite Staters. His administration has also proposed drastic budget cuts to many programs that New Hampshire depends on to fight this epidemic every day. This commission should immediately reevaluate these funding cuts and identify additional resources to help people on the frontlines in New Hampshire and other states who are doing heroic work to save lives. I also strongly encourage President Trump and Governor Christie to seek their counsel. President Trump made a promise to the Granite State to provide more treatment and end the opioid crisis, and he must keep that promise.”