On Wednesday, the president signed an executive order launching a new commission to address the drug problem.
 
"Drug abuse has become a crippling problem throughout the United States," Trump said during a listening session at the White House. "Drug overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in our country, and opioid overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled since 1999."
 
"This is a total epidemic and I think it's probably almost un-talked about compared to the severity that we're witnessing," he warned.
 
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will serve as chairman of the commission and sat alongside the president during Wednesday's listening session.
 
Last month, the governor signed legislation that limits first-time opioid prescriptions to five days' worth of drugs and requires state-regulated health insurers to cover at least six months of substance abuse treatment.
 
"I'm just so honored that the president would ask me to take on this task with the group that we've put together, and thrilled to work with the attorney general as well on the issues of prevention and addiction to drugs so we don't get people hooked in the first place," said Christie.
 
The commission will focus on prevention, interdiction, and recovery by improving access to treatment.
 
Drug addiction kills an estimated 78 people a day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that nearly half of those overdose deaths involved prescription drugs.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

'The Story of Everything'

'This Is a Turning Point': Iranian Christians Using time of War to Share the Gospel

Special Report: 634 Left vs. 41 Right: While Trump Fights Iran, Big Four News Apps Attack Trump

DOJ Launches Probe into Illinois Schools Over Gender Ideology Taught Without Parental Notice

Supreme Court Steps in, Pauses Federal Court Block on Abortion Pills by Mail Nationwide, Reinstates Biden Rule Temporarily

Prayer Alert: Shooting at Lake Near Oklahoma City Sends at Least 12 People to Hospitals

Pentagon to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany amid Rising Tensions

'Not Leaving Right Now': Trump Says US to Guide Ships Through Hormuz Strait Despite Iran Warning

Prayer Alert: Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical, But Stable Condition

Supreme Court Rules for Pro-Life Centers: 'The Government Has No Business Harassing Pro-Life Ministries'

President Trump Signs Executive Order Expanding High-Quality Retirement Accounts for Millions of Americans (VIDEO)

Worldwide Implications of the UAE's OPEC Exit

Democrat Activist Texas Judge Rules State Agency Must Greenlight 400-Acre Islamic City Near Dallas

New Footage of Trump Assassination Attempt Released. Here's What It Shows [Video]

MAHA Victory on Capitol Hill as GOP Agrees to Drop Special Pesticide Protections

DOJ Report Reveals Biden Admin's Expansive Religious Liberty Violations and Hostility to American Christians

SPLC's Indictment Prompts Loss of Donations from Vanguard, Fidelity Charitable Programs

President Trump Signs Bill to Fund DHS, Ending the Democrat Shutdown

Evidence Young People Are Turning to Christianity Isn’t Anecdotal; It’s Real

100 Missionaries Deploy to 10/40 Window amid Increasing Reports of Visions of 'The Man in White'