Melania Trump to discuss opioid crisis with experts

First lady Melania Trump will host an event on Thursday to discuss the nation’s opioid crisis.

Experts, journalists, and individuals affected by opioid addiction will gather for a listening session and discussion, The Associated Press reported.

Last month, Trump attended a briefing on opioids with the president and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, tweeting her support to “#STOPDRUGADDICTION.”

Opioids are destroying our youth/people. Mtg w @Potus & @SecPriceMD today to give my support to #STOPDRUGADDICTION pic.twitter.com/aAjNNnu98n

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) August 8, 2017

Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, said that the first lady wants to get involved with the issue because she is focused on the well-being of children.

{mosads}“The opioid crisis is the deadliest epidemic in American history, and it is getting worse,” Grisham said. “It affects children of all ages, even before they are born. As a mother, and as first lady, she is anxious to use her platform to help.” 

President Trump said in August that he would declare the opioid crisis a national emergency, but officials said weeks later that they are still working on the paperwork.

Declaring the crisis a national emergency was one of the recommendations from the president’s opioid commission, which is headed by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R).

“The opioid crisis is an emergency, and I’m saying officially right now it is an emergency,” President Trump said. “We’re going to spend a lot of time, a lot of effort and a lot of money on the opioid crisis.”