IWF Applauds Trump for Declaring Opioid Crisis a Public Health Emergency

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 -- The Independent Women's Forum issued the following statement by Director of Policy Hadley Heath Manning applauding President Trump for declaring a public health emergency on the opioid crisis.

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IWF urges the federal government to address how the crisis impacts women and children and consider the many factors, including government policies, have contributed to this epidemic.

"The opioid crisis is truly an issue worth addressing as it is devastating women, children, and families around the country at record societal levels. This public health emergency has wrecked havoc on women's health, families, and dignity."

"Earlier this week Independent Women's Forum sent a letter (http://iwf.org/media/2805035/Release:-Independent-Women's-Forum-Letter-to-Commission-on-Combating-Drug-Addition-and-the-Opioid-Crisis-to-Draw-Attention-to-Impact-on-Women) to the Commission to address the epidemic and how it affects women and families. Unlike other substance abuse disorders, opioid addiction strikes women as often as it does men. But women and men experience the path to and the consequences of addiction differently.

"It is our sincere hope that this latest move by the White House can turn the tide of the opioid crisis and offer the support that women and families need."

"Independent Women's Forum has done extensive work on the opioid crisis in our latest Policy Focus (http://iwf.org/publications/2804989/Policy-Focus:-The-Opioid-Epidemic) and Takeaways (http://iwf.org/publications/2805034/Takeaways:-The-Opioid-Epidemic-Effects-on-Women) documents. IWF stands ready to help the Opioid Commission and other policymakers find the best solutions to help rescue more women and families from the devastation of drug addiction."