During National Recovery Month, we celebrate the more than 23 million Americans who have found a pathway from addiction to recovery, we recognize those who have helped them reclaim their lives, and we renew our commitment to supporting those still struggling to find hope and healing. Throughout every community in America, the effects of drug and alcohol addiction are felt in the lives of families, friends, and neighbors. Today, 48. 4 million Americans suffer from addiction, and 69,973 Americans died last year to overdose.
Every American deserves to live free from the grip of addiction—and my Administration is wholly committed to making that possible by preventing drug use before it starts, providing treatment at the earliest opportunity, and helping more Americans lead engaged and productive lives in recovery. In January, I was proud to establish the Great American Recovery Initiative, coordinating a national response to the disease of addiction across government, healthcare, faith communities, and the private sector while fostering a culture that celebrates recovery.
I also signed an Executive Order on Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets to make our communities safer and help homeless Americans access addiction and mental health services needed to rebuild their lives. I am directing the Food and Drug Administration to prioritize non-opioid options for chronic pain, and I signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act to strengthen federal grant programs for treatment, overdose response, and mental health care. We are also stopping deadly drugs before they ever reach our shores.
I signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, classifying all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs; formally designated major international drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations; sealed our border; and empowered our brave Border Patrol and Armed Forces with the resources needed to carry out massive drug seizures to keep fentanyl…