Opioid crisis: Donald Trump rejects calls to declare national emergency
Source: The Guardian
Opioid crisis: Donald Trump rejects calls to declare national emergency
At ‘major briefing’ on epidemic, president says ‘strong law enforcement is absolutely vital to having a drug-free society’
Jessica Glenza in New York
Tuesday 8 August 2017 22.40 BST
At an event Donald Trump had billed as a “major briefing” on the opioid crisis gripping America, the president on Tuesday stressed that “strong, strong law enforcement” was vital and rebuffed an official call to declare a national emergency.
Some had expected Trump to to declare such an emergency after his opioids commission force described this move in recent days as the “first and more urgent recommendation”.
Instead, Trump’s prepared remarks focused on enforcement stopping the international influx of illicit drugs and alluded to the Mexican border.
“We’re also working with law enforcement officers to protect innocent citizens from drug dealers that poison our communities,” Trump said. “Strong law enforcement is absolutely vital to having a drug-free society.
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Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/08/opioid-crisis-donald-trump-briefing-national-emergency