Senator Hassan Statement on President Trump’s Visit to New Hampshire

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement on President Trump’s visit to New Hampshire, where he announced a proposal to combat the opioid crisis during a speech at Manchester Community College:

“The proposal the President discussed today in Manchester includes important policies to help strengthen treatment, prevention, recovery, and law enforcement efforts – including many policies that I have long supported and a number that I have already introduced legislation to implement. I’m particularly glad that the proposal focuses on reducing the overprescribing of opioids, boosting treatment capacity, and cracking down on the illicit flow of fentanyl and other substances through our mail. However, in November, the White House opioid commission also released a strong plan, most of which hasn’t been acted on yet, and it is critical that we see actual follow-through on this proposal.

“While there are many strong components of this proposal, this is not a crisis that we can solve just by being tougher on drug dealers – although we need to do that – and I am concerned that the President does not seem to fully appreciate that we cannot arrest our way out of this crisis. I am also concerned that the President has not yet forcefully advocated for the robust federal investment it will take to help combat this crisis. The $6 billion in opioid funding I worked to secure in the budget agreement is an important step, but we need Presidential leadership in pushing for the significant additional funding that it will ultimately take to help stem – and ultimately reverse – the tide of this epidemic.”

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