White House Opioid Commission Calls for National State of Emergency

A White House commission on opioid abuse, established in March by executive order, delivered its initial set of recommendations to President Trump, urging him to declare an immediate, national state of emergency.

Led by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), the commission also called for mandatory prescriber education initiatives, and for all prescribers and other DEA registrants to take courses in the proper treatment of pain — and to make naloxone standard equipment for every police officer.

“You, Mr. President, are the only person who can bring this type of intensity to the emergency and we believe you have the will to do so and to do so immediately,” the commission wrote.