The draft budget plan comes as the nation is struggling with an escalating opioid epidemic. In March, President Trump commissioned a new addiction task force to help combat the opioid crisis, tapping his friend and former rival New Jersey Gov. A coalition representing hundreds of drug prevention, law enforcement and health groups is planning to send a letter of protest Monday to the White House. “I’ve known and worked with our drug czars for more than 20 years, and this agency is critical to our efforts to combat drug abuse in general, and this opioid epidemic, in particular,” Sen. We haven’t had a final document, and I think it would be ridiculous to comment on a draft version of something at this point.”The White House has said it is working to eliminate areas of duplication and inefficiency.

Source: Washington Post May 05, 2017 22:18 UTC