Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02), the founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, is once again calling on President Trump to appoint a qualified head of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) after Congressman Tom Marino (PA-10) withdrew his nomination. Kuster has been vocal about the need to appoint a head of ONDCP, which is critical to coordinating the federal response to the opioid epidemic that is devastating communities throughout New Hampshire and the country. She has also expressed her opposition to efforts to weaken the agency.

“The Office of National Drug Control Policy plays an important role in taking on the opioid epidemic that is having such a devastating impact on communities in New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “I’m glad that Representative Marino has withdrawn his nomination to be the head of ONDCP. However, it is unacceptable that ONDCP remains without a highly qualified director during the worst drug crisis in our nation’s history. Now President Trump must act swiftly to fill this position with a candidate who has a deep knowledge of the multifaceted approach necessary to take on the opioid crisis. President Trump announced yesterday that he intends to declare the opioid epidemic a national emergency, further increasing the urgency of nominating a leader of ONDCP. ONDCP will play a crucial role in addressing the opioid crisis and must have a well-qualified leader so that any emergency declaration will be effective.”

Congresswoman Kuster is the co-founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, and has been at the forefront of the fight to address the heroin and opioid crisis at the federal level and in New Hampshire. She has been an outspoken advocate for the need to support medical, law enforcement, treatment, and recovery efforts.

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