Press Release - President Donald J. Trump Signs an Executive Order Establishing the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis

Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the President's Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis. The Commission will be chaired by Governor Chris Christie and will study ways to combat and treat the scourge of drug abuse, addiction, and the opioid crisis, which was responsible for more than 50,000 deaths in 2015 and has caused families and communities across America to endure significant pain and suffering. The Commission will work closely with the White House Office of American Innovation led by Jared Kushner.

President Trump said, "I made a promise to the American people to take action to keep drugs from pouring into our country and to help those who have been so badly affected by them. Governor Christie will be instrumental in researching how best to combat this serious epidemic and how to treat those it has affected. He will work with people on both sides of the aisle to find the best ways for the Federal Government to treat and protect the American people from this serious problem. This is an epidemic that knows no boundaries and shows no mercy, and we will show great compassion and resolve as we work together on this important issue."

The signing follows the listening session President Trump held at the White House this morning. The listening session brought together leaders from inside and outside government, and with diverse political backgrounds, to discuss solutions on how best to combat this crisis.