Trump calls for "toughness" on drug dealers, traffickers to fight opioid crisis
President Trump found himself in New Hampshire for the first time since the 2016 presidential campaign to unveil the administration's newest efforts in combating the nation's ongoing opioid crisis.
The president once referred to New Hampshire as a "drug-infested den" but visited the Granite State to roll out his latest plan which focuses on reducing drug demand while also calling on Congress and the Department of Justice to seek harsher punishments for drug traffickers -- including the death penalty.
During his remarks at Manchester Community College on Monday, he delivered a stern warning to drug dealers: "If you break the law and illegally peddle these deadly poisons, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable."
He said the country needs to be tough on drug crimes, saying "If we don't get tough on the drug dealers we're wasting our time. That toughness includes the death penalty."
He conceded later however, "Maybe our country is not ready for that, I can understand that maybe, although personally I can't understand that."
Mr. Trump said the crisis will be solved with "brains, resolve and toughness" and that blue ribbon committees are not doing enough to curb the epidemic.
"This is about winning a very, very tough problem, if we don't get very tough on these dealers, it's not going to happen folks, and I want to win this battle," he added.
The president said he doesn't want to leave the White House and still "have this problem" gripping the much of the country.
He also announced a nationwide education campaign to raise awareness on the dangers of opioid misuse as well as support for research in identifying alternative therapies and expand treatment options for addicts.
As part of this education framework, the president said the administration would be looking to create "unsavory" commercials to "scare" kids from using drugs.
"Kids can see these commercials they can say 'I don't want any part of it', that's the least expensive thing we can do," he said.
He said the ads, similar to ones implemented in the 1980's, would "scare them from ending up like the people in the commercials."
Aside from program initiatives, the president's plan also doubles down on his calls to stop the flow of drugs across borders and expands upon the DOJ's ongoing efforts of prosecuting opioid manufactures, distributors and doctors.
"Eventually the Democrats will agree with us to build the wall to keep the damn drugs out," Mr. Trump exclaimed. He claimed Democrats were using issues like DACA and the border wall as political point.
"They're trying to tie the wall to DACA and DACA to the wall...which is ok with me. But both should get approved," he said.
On sanctuary cities, the president again slammed areas like Lawrence, Massachusetts as embracing immigrants and contributing to the nation's drug crisis.
He called on Congress to block funds for sanctuary cities and "close deadly loopholes that allow criminals back into our country."
The plan follows the administration's prior efforts in dealing with the opioid epidemic, including designating the crisis as a public health emergency and the White House Opioid and Drug Abuse Commission which produced its final report in November of last year.
Trump closes with message to American people
"We will defeat this crisis, we will protect our beautiful children and we will ensure that tomorrow is better, brighter, stronger and greater than ever before because as long as we have trust in our citizens pride in our country and faith in our god, we will not fail.
He added, "We will end the scourge of drug addiction in America once and for all."
Trump on treatment avenues
The president said the administration would be offering waivers to states to help those who need treatment immediately as well as opportunities for inmates leaving prison get treatment to get a "second chance to be productive law abiding citizens."
Mr. Trump also called for Congress to approve "right to try" programs so terminally ill patients can get access to drugs not yet approved, but might save lives.
Trump teases announcement on drug prices
Mr. Trump said in an about a month, the administration would be making an announcement on prescription drug costs, saying the United States pays "so much more" for drugs than other countries "because of the drug lobbies and other reasons and the complexity of distribution."
He brought up HHS Secretary Alex Azar, the former head of drug company Eli Lilly, to explain the administration's efforts on focusing on reducing opioid prescriptions and reducing drug costs.
"You'll be seeing drug prices falling substantially in the not-too-distant future and it's going to be beautiful," the president said.
Trump on death penalty
Mr. Trump said the death penalty would be used for certain cases like "big pushers."
He conceded of the controversial suggestion, "Maybe our country is not ready for that, I can understand that maybe, although personally I can't understand that."
Trump reignites calls to "build the wall"
"Eventually the Democrats will agree with us to build the wall to keep the damn drugs out," Mr. Trump exclaimed. He claimed Democrats were using issues like DACA and the border wall as political point.
"They're trying to tie the wall to DACA and DACA to the wall...which is ok with me. But both should get approved," he said.
On sanctuary cities, the president again slammed areas like Lawrence, Massachusetts as embracing immigrants and contributing to the nation's drug crisis.
He called on Congress to block funds for sanctuary cities and "close deadly loopholes that allow criminals back into our country."
"We have to get a lot smarter, a lot tougher," he said.
He added, "We can be nice and soft and weak and you're not going to have a country left, so we have to strengthen up and strenghten up our laws so we can do what we have to do, we have to stop this from happening."
Trump urges new non-addictive pain treatment, ad campaign
The president said new medication needs to be developed that offers non-addictive properties as well as preventing addiction through overprescribing.
He vowed that there will be a cut of nationwide opioid prescriptions by 1/3 over next 3 years. He also said the administration would be looking to create "bad commercials to "scare" kids from using drugs.
"Kids can see these commercials they can say 'I don't want any part of it', that's the least expensive thing we can do," he said.
He said the ads would "scare them from ending up like the people in the commercials."
Trump says "toughness" includes the death penalty
Mr. Trump commends the DOJ's action in prosecuting drug trafficking crimes, saying "If you break the law and illegally peddle these deadly poisons, we will find you, we will arrest you, and we will hold you accountable."
"If we don't get tough on the drug dealers we're wasting our time. That toughness includes the death penalty," he said of a more controversial measure to targeting drug traffickers
He added, "If we're not going to get tough on the drug dealers, we are just doing the wrong thing we have got to get tough."
Mr. Trump said the crisis will be solved with "brains, resolve and toughness" saying blue ribbon committees are not doing enough to battle the epidemic.
"This is about winning a very , very tough problem, if we don't get very tough on these dealers, it's not going to happen folks, and I want to win this battle," he added.
The president said he doesn't want to leave the White House and still "have this problem."
Trump pledges to honor those lost to addiction with "action"
"We're pouring a lot of money and a lot of talent into this horrible problem," the president said. He added, "We will not rest until the end, this scourge of drug addiction in America will stop."
Mr. Trump vowed to that the nation "will raise a drug-free generation of American children. "
He says that Congress will allocated additional funds to combat the crisis, saying it will be "the most money spent ever on the opioid crisis."
Trump takes podium for remarks
"It's great to be back in the beautiful state of New Hampshire," Mr. Trump said kicking off his remarks. He points out that he was last at the community college when he was on the campaign trail. He called New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu one of the "toughest on Trump" during the election.
He thanked first responders and law enforcement officials for saving "American lives" in the effort to curb the nation's drug crisis.
First lady takes stage
First lady Melania Trump introduces her husband calling the opioid crisis a "major threat" to the country.
She said that much of her focus as first lady has been understanding the negative affects opioid epidemic has on children and young mothers.
"While this crisis is taking hold of our country, the American people have responded," Mrs. Trump said, pointing to research facilities across the country and treatment centers for those battling with addiction.
She added, "I'm honored to work alongside so many people across the country with the shared goal of ending this battle."
Trump visits New Hampshire firehouse "safe station"
Ahead of delivering remarks in Manchester, the president stopped by a firehouse to see a "safe station" in Manchester for those suffering from addiction.
According to Manchester's city website, "Safe Stations" provide assistance or treatment without fear of arrest. Someone suffering from substance abuse problems can go to any Manchester Fire Department station to speak with firefighters on duty.
Mr. Trump and the first lady met with firefighters on duty and the fire chief in Manchester to recognize the work "safe stations" provide for addicts.
The "safe station" the president visited opened in May of 2016. Daniel Goonan, Manchester City Fire Chief told reporters at the visit that over 3,300 people have come through the station to seek an access point to treatment in a stigma-free environment.
"This is an all hands on deck program. This is an all hands on deck problem, for the most part everyone is on board," said Goonan.