Melania Trump heading to West Virginia to discuss opioid epidemic

First lady Melania Trump is visiting Huntington, W.Va., on Monday to discuss the opioid epidemic with state and local leaders.

The first lady’s office said she will meet with smaller community groups to listen to their testimonials and learn about resources offered to residents.  

HAPPENING NOW: @flotus is wheels up & on her way to West Virginia to participate in mtgs w state & local leaders and learn more about community efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

— Stephanie Grisham (@StephGrisham45) July 8, 2019 

{mosads}Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan is also visiting Huntington on Monday to meet with local law enforcement and political leaders on the opioid epidemic.

The agency did not say whether McAleenan is joining the first lady on parts or all of her visit, but he is expected to meet with Gov. Jim Justice (R) and Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

The first lady has made tackling opioid abuse one of the key pillars of her “Be Best” initiative and has visited multiple hospitals and community centers focused on combating the problem.

She previously visited Lily’s Place, an infant recovery center that helps families dealing with addiction, during an October 2017 trip to West Virginia.

The Mountain State has been at the center of the opioid epidemic in recent years, according to federal data.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse found that West Virginia has the highest age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving opioids. The state had the highest percentage of deaths per 100,000 persons of anywhere in the country in 2017.

President Trump has declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency to free up additional resources to combat the epidemic, which claimed the lives of nearly 50,000 Americans in 2017.

Updated at 10:34 a.m.