[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2018)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 47543-47544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20565]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 83 , No. 182 / Wednesday, September 19, 2018 
/ Presidential Documents  

[[Page 47543]]


                Proclamation 9787 of September 14, 2018

                
Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness 
                Week, 2018

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic 
                Awareness Week, we acknowledge the devastating toll the 
                opioid epidemic has inflicted on our country and its 
                people, and we pledge to raise awareness of the dangers 
                of prescription and illicit opioid abuse. As we 
                continue our work to end this terrible crisis, I 
                encourage all Americans to provide our families, 
                friends, coworkers, and neighbors with the love and 
                support they need as they strive to overcome addiction.

                Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of deaths 
                resulting from injury in the United States. In 2017, 
                approximately 134 Americans died every day from an 
                opioid overdose, and more than two million Americans 
                suffered from addiction to prescription or illicit 
                opioids. Between 1999 and 2017, more than 400,000 
                Americans, including so many of our young people, have 
                died from overdoses involving opioids. We must 
                aggressively combat this epidemic affecting our 
                communities.

                I have tasked my Administration with strengthening our 
                public health and safety response to the opioid 
                overdose crisis. In March, I released my 
                Administration's plan to address the epidemic by 
                reducing drug demand, cutting off the flow of illicit 
                drugs, expanding access to overdose prevention and 
                evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder, and 
                conducting research to improve prevention and treatment 
                in the future. This interagency effort is providing 
                targeted funding to States and communities to help 
                people in need. Additionally, in February, I secured $6 
                billion in new funding for combating the opioid 
                epidemic.

                As we continue to raise awareness regarding the opioid 
                crisis, we must work to remove the harmful stigma and 
                misconceptions surrounding both prescription and 
                illicit opioid abuse. I encourage those whose lives 
                have been affected by their own personal struggle with 
                addiction or by the struggle of a loved one to share 
                their stories. Through platforms such as The Crisis 
                Next Door, which the White House launched earlier this 
                year, we are building a dialogue that has the potential 
                to save thousands of lives.

                As we observe Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic 
                Awareness Week, we reaffirm our individual roles in 
                creating a stronger, healthier, and drug-free society. 
                In every community, there is someone who is either 
                fighting opioid addiction or susceptible to falling 
                victim to it. And in every community, there is someone 
                who could lend a helping hand. To any American 
                currently battling addiction, whether you are in 
                treatment or long-term recovery: we stand with you. To 
                any American who wants to help: we have resources 
                available to support you. Together, as one Nation, we 
                can--and will--win the battle against the opioid 
                epidemic.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 16 through 
                September 22, 2018, as Prescription Opioid and Heroin 
                Epidemic Awareness Week. I call upon my fellow 
                Americans to observe this week with appropriate

[[Page 47544]]

                programs, ceremonies, religious services, and other 
                activities that raise awareness about the prescription 
                opioid and heroin epidemic and to consider concrete 
                follow up activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand eighteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2018-20565
Filed 9-18-18; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F8-P