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Trump Makes Opioid Crisis Public Health Emergency — Lacks Federal Funding

pills in hand
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President Donald Trump has declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. 

That means states will have more flexibility when it comes to using federal money to combat the crisis. It will also let the federal government waive some regulations. 

Attorney General Bill Schuette was at the executive order signing. 

"The president was correct in issuing an executive order to galvanize resources to help provide treatment and provide assistance to those who are caught in the grip of this terrible addiction," Schuette said. 

The president did not declare a national state of emergency. That would have opened up federal money from the Disaster Relief Fund. 

Schuette says there is more action to come. 

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
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