Governor Chris Sununu Statement on The President’s National Public Health Emergency Declaration

Concord, NH - Today, Governor Chris Sununu issued the following statement after The President declared a National Public Health Emergency this afternoon:

"The President has been focused on addressing the opioid issue since taking office and today's declaration further underscores his recognition of the severity of this issue. I was proud to stand with Manchester Fire Chief Dan Goonan, Jim and Jeanne Moser of East Kingston, NH, and my fellow Governors from across the country as he became the first President to address the opioid crisis as a public health emergency.

"I hope Congress will follow the Presidents call to action and respond in kind by working through the barriers that prevent the fast and efficient flow of funds to communities that need the most help. Those impacted the most, like New Hampshire, are on the front lines of this crisis and assistance should be proportionate to the size of our problem and not based on our population.

"I am hopeful that today's announcement will also signal an ease in regulations so that New Hampshire has the flexibility needed to innovate and better target the Addiction Services funds that we are currently receiving into areas of the highest need."