Last week, Senator Markey called on Trump to make declaration as opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities across Massachusetts

Boston (August 10, 2017) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after reports that President Donald Trump will take steps to declare a national public health emergency to address our nation’s opioid overdose crisis, a step the Senator called for last week. 

"Declaring a national public health emergency will elevate the opioid epidemic as the greatest public health crisis facing our country, said Senator Markey. "It will open the door to new resources and enhanced coordination across the federal government to respond to this scourge. I encourage the President to work with Congress and use this declaration to commit new emergency funding and expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services that we know work, not the ineffective law enforcement and incarceration approaches of the past. I also urge Congress to immediately appropriate the $500 million remaining from funding included upon passage of the 21st Century Cures Act."

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