[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