The opioid problem needs to be addressed on multiple fronts. The SAFE Coalition is working hard locally to provide help. Representative Roy and others in the MA legislature are working that avenue. This group is working on the the national level and can use your support.
Yesterday, the President of the United States suggested there would be a big announcement related to the ongoing opioid crisis. But what he said was more of the same – continuing the same, tired rhetoric, without any of the bold action this issue demands and that he promised on the campaign trail.
President Trump even suggested going back to a simple, 1980's-style message "Just Say No," and telling young people alcohol and other drugs are bad is the best path forward. That didn't work then and it will not work now. We need real solutions.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Tom Price, stated that, despite the recommendations of their own Commission on the Opioid Crisis, it was not necessary to declare addiction a national emergency. "We believe that, as this point, that the resources that we need, or the focus that we need to bring to bear to the opioid crisis at this point can be addressed without the declaration of an emergency, although all things are on the table for the President," Price said.
Not necessary to declare an emergency? Mr. President, and Secretary Price, with all due respect – if you don't see this issue as an emergency, you haven't been paying attention to the recommendations of your OWN Presidential Appointed Commission! Or every major newspaper, TV news program, and radio news program in the country.
Friends, let's force the administration to pay attention. Let's come together as we have so many times before. Please, add your name with thousands of others in support of President Trump acting on his Commission's recommendation to declare a national emergency. Once you do, please pass the letter on to your networks via your social media pages or email. Let's make our voices so loud and clear that they can't possibly ignore us. Let's be a bold and powerful constituency of consequence on this life and death matter.
I hope you'll add your name by clicking here and showing them just how wrong they are.
Warm regards,
Michael King
Director of Outreach and Engagement
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