First Lady Melania Trump on Nov. 28, called opioids the “worst drug crisis” in United States history.
Speaking at a town hall, she said that she and President Donald Trump are “committed to fighting the opioid epidemic.”
“I hope we can end this terrible epidemic that’s going on in the United States,” she said during a question-and-answer session later. “I think, nowadays, it’s much easier to get the drugs. They prescribe, sometimes, too many drugs at once. You can see also it’s a black market. It’s very dangerous.”
Trump described in her speech how she’s traveled across the country visiting hospitals and facilities that are dedicated to helping people suffering from opioid addiction, including people who are addicted, babies born addicted, and families coping with the addiction of a loved one.
“What has struck me with each visit is how this epidemic has touched so many people—whether it is because of personal use, or that of family members, friends, coworkers, or neighbors—opioid addiction is an illness that has truly taken hold of our country,” she said.
Thousands of Students Hear First Lady
More than 130 people die every day in the United States from opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2017, more than 71,500 deaths were due to drug overdoses, with the majority attributed to opioids.The town hall was held at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Thousands of students gave the first lady a standing ovation before she spoke.
Trump told the college students that she was compelled to talk to them because they are in a critical stage of their lives, which is exciting but can be overwhelming.
“You may be responsible for paying some of your own bills, getting to and from class every day, managing your homework, and I’m sure many of you also have jobs or extra-curricular activities,” she said. “And while I bet no one here will want to admit it, I imagine some of you have or will be experiencing situations with drugs or alcohol.”
“I know college is a time to wield your independence, experience things on your terms, and make decisions on your own behalf. I am here to remind you that some of those decisions—though they may seem minor at the time—could negatively impact you for the rest of your lives.”
Support for the Addicted
She said that if any of the students do fall into addiction they shouldn’t be ashamed to ask for help. She also encouraged students to support those they know who become addicted to opioids and to become educated on signs that show addiction.After the speech, Trump sat down with Liberty University President Eric Bolling for the question-and-answer session.
Answering a question from a student about advice she would give to parents discussing opioids with their children, she added: “Education is the most important, and talk with the children. See what’s going on in their life, who their friends are—very important to stay on top of them so they don’t go in the wrong direction. That can happen very, very quickly.”
She said she tells her son, Barron, that drugs are dangerous and “can mess up your mind and body.” She tells him “to love yourself more than you love drugs.”
She added later on the importance of educating young mothers, “We need to educate and teach young mothers how dangerous the drugs are. While you’re pregnant and if you use drugs, your baby could be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome,” adding that it could lead to “a lot of challenges later on.”
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