WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following pressure from U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) and his colleagues, the Trump Administration today released its 2018 budget proposal that preserves the majority of funding for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).

In remarks on the Senate floor last week, Senator King denounced the reported 95 percent reduction in ONDCP’s budget that President Trump was considering and then sent the President a letter urging him not to pursue the drastic cuts.

Senator King released the following statement in response to the preservation of the funding:

            “Cutting funding to the Office of National Drug Control Policy would have directly hampered Maine’s efforts to combat the opioid epidemic at a time when we can ill-afford to do so. In fact, we should be investing more in supporting states as they seek to help those struggling with addiction, not less. I am glad that, following bipartisan calls from me and my colleagues, the Administration has come to recognize the value of ONDCP and preserved the vast majority of its funding. Doing so will allow Maine and states around the country to extend a helping hand to more people in need and save lives.”

Additionally, Senator King praised an announcement by the Administrator of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today that the FDA will be establishing an Opioid Policy Steering Committee that will bring together some of the agency’s most senior career leaders to explore and develop additional tools or strategies FDA can use to confront this crisis.

FDA Administrator Dr. Scott Gottlieb spoke with Senator King today to inform him of the Committee’s establishment.

            “There is no single strategy that will end the opioid epidemic, but one important facet will be gaining a better handle on the vast number of opioids that are produced and prescribed across the country,” Senator King said. “I am very encouraged that Dr. Gottlieb is prioritizing these efforts, and I am hopeful that this task force can develop new strategies and tools that will result in the more judicious allocation of opioids and result in fewer people becoming addicted.”

For more information on the Opioid Policy Steering Committee, click HERE.

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