WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement after President Trump announced further action on the nation's public health crisis on opioids. 

"While Eastern Kentucky tragically started out as ground zero for skyrocketing prescription drug abuse overdoses, this crisis has now expanded into a national opioid epidemic - the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 50. We need all hands on deck, including our Commander-in-Chief, to help save lives and beat back the tide of abuse. I am pleased that President Trump is engaged on this issue and look forward to working with him to implement a holistic federal response.

"In Eastern Kentucky, with Operation UNITE leading the charge to save lives, we quickly learned that we can't arrest our way out of the problem. In fact, it is UNITE's three-pronged approach, including law enforcement, treatment and education that has developed into a national model for successful federal policy and legislation. This week in Congress, we are working to secure more money to target effective treatment and education measures to prevent abuse and help more people through recovery. 

"In just a few weeks, Operation UNITE will once again help lead the critical journey for solutions to the opioid abuse epidemic during the annual National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit in Atlanta on April 2-6, 2018. I count it a great honor to stand alongside UNITE to bring together stakeholders from federal, state and local agencies, both private and public sectors, and passionate advocates from across the country. Over the last seven years, the Rx summit has influenced critical drug-related policies and inspired an unmatched movement for action amongst professionals in every related industry. With more lives hanging in the balance each day, we must remain diligent in our fight for hope."

For more information about the National Rx Drug Abuse and Heroin Summit, click here.