Washington, DC — In response to President Trump’s announcement today declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency, U.S. Conference of Mayors President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu released the following statement:

“Declaring a public health emergency is a step in the right direction, so long as it brings immediate financial, personnel and equipment resources to the heart of the crisis. While optimism and mobilization is key and necessary, this is a crisis years in the making.

“No American city and no community has been immune to this deadly crisis, and mayors, more than any other elected official, are on the front lines of this battle. In fact, many American mayors declared states of emergency over the past several years, in order to marshal every resource at their disposal. Local solutions in partnership with health and mental health authorities, addiction, treatment and recovery experts and law enforcement have proven effective in the absence of federal leadership. We hope the President’s commitment to fighting this scourge means bringing mayors and local officials to the table to develop new partnerships and solutions.

“Mayors of both parties will not rest until we have reached a comprehensive, sustainable response to this epidemic. Our shared constituents are mired in the worst public health crisis in a generation, and a solution demands the same urgency from the federal government. We welcome the President to the fight and hope that his show of force today means long-term commitment, much-needed federal resources and a long-term partnership.”

 

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