WASHINGTON, D.C. – First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum today attended the “A Year of Historic Action to Combat the Opioid Crisis” event at the White House, where the Trump administration highlighted actions taken to combat the opioid crisis since President Donald Trump declared it a public health emergency a year ago.
Today’s event coincided with President Trump signing into law the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (H.R. 6), comprehensive bipartisan legislation that dedicates more resources to fight the opioid crisis. Following his remarks, several representatives of the private sector announced commitments and initiatives which further the administration’s efforts.
“Today was a notable display of bipartisan efforts to combat the opioid crisis and addiction more broadly,” Gov. Doug Burgum said. “It is significant because the disease of addiction does not discriminate. We’re grateful to the administration and members of Congress, especially Senators Hoeven and Heitkamp and Congressman Cramer, for coming together to pass this vital legislation, which will provide increased recovery support in communities while stemming the tide of tragic opioid overdoses.”
“This partnership between government and private enterprise to commit to initiatives for combatting the opioid crisis is significant,” Helgaas Burgum said. “The Governor and I are grateful to this administration for a comprehensive approach to helping people, families and communities struggling with addiction. We will continue our grassroots advocacy efforts along with so many others in our state to eliminate the stigma of addiction so more people feel comfortable reaching out for help and more lives can be saved.”
Information about the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act’s provisions to address the opioid crisis is available here.