    [United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    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

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    Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week. I call upon my fellow Americans to
    observe this week with appropriate 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.
    DONALD J. TRUMP