Trump to issue emergency declaration next week on opioids

[October 26, 2017]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would declare next week a national emergency on opioid abuse, a move that could give states access to federal funds to fight the drug crisis.

President Donald Trump speaks to the media as he meets with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, U.S., October 17, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The United States is battling a surge in opioid-related deaths, including 33,000 lives lost in 2015, more than any year on record, according to federal data.

"The opioid is a tremendous emergency," Trump told Fox Business Network. "Next week, I'm going to (be) declaring an emergency, (a) national emergency on drugs."

Trump is expected to provide a preview of his plans for tackling drug demand and the opioid crisis in remarks on Thursday.

Trump said in August that he would declare opioid abuse a national emergency.

Opioids, primarily prescription painkillers, heroin and fentanyl - a drug 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine - are fueling the drug overdoses.

The declaration by Trump could help unlock more support and resources to address the drug overdose epidemic, such as additional funding and expanded access to various forms of treatment, and it gives the government more flexibility in waiving rules and restrictions to expedite action.

(Reporting by Jason Lange; Editing by Peter Cooney)

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