MANCHESTER, N.H. (NEWS CENTER Maine) — President Donald Trump visited New Hampshire on Monday to unveil a plan to combat the nation's opioid crisis.
Maine had 418 drug overdose deaths last year alone.
President Trump detailed three broad pushes for education, enforcement and treatment. He said he thinks more television commercials discouraging kids from using drugs would be a big help in combating the problem, as would a federal effort to go after drug companies selling opioid painkillers.
Trump said a lot of money and talent is going toward fighting the opioid problem and the Justice Department might file federal lawsuits against drug companies that promote overprescribing opioid painkillers.
The President also said the White House would be launching a website for Americans to share stories about drug addiction and said it's important drug dealers understand the ultimate punishment for drug trafficking under this plan could be the death penalty.
"If you look at other counties — I've gotten to know the leaders of many countries – I won't mention names but you know the names of the leaders I'm talking about — I go around [and ask,] how's your drug problem?" Trump said. "[They reply,] we don't have a drug problem, we have zero problem for drug dealers, we have the death penalty.
"Take a look at some of these countries where they don't play games," Trump said. "They don't have a drug problem."
Trump also said clamping down on illegal immigration would help stop the flow of drugs into the US, blaming Democrats for not supporting his border wall initiative without concessions from Republicans.
He also said he doesn't want to leave the White House without having solved the opioid crisis.
The President's speech lasted about 45 minutes. He was joined at the event by first lady Melania Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Attorney General Jeff Sessions.