Trump to declare public health emergency for opioids

President Donald Trump will order the secretary of Health and Human Services to declare the opioid crisis a public health emergency, aides told USA Today.

Trump is expected to deliver an address from the White House today. The epidemic claimed 64,000 American lives last year.

"Drug demand and opioid misuse is the crisis next door," said Kellyanne Conway, a senior counselor to the president, previewing the tone of Trump's speech. "This is no longer someone else's co-worker, someone else's community, someone else's kid. Drug use knows no geographic boundaries or demographic differences."

Trump's order will give states more flexibility in using federal funds to fight opioid misuse.