Following President Donald Trump’s call to action on Thursday regarding America’s opioid epidemic, U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Jerome Adams visited Phoenix House in Arlington, VA, to highlight work being done by nonprofit organizations to combat the epidemic and hear from treatment experts and other heroes on the frontlines.

Phoenix House offers evidence-based addiction treatment to teens, adults, and families, as well as unique services for pregnant women, mothers with young children, and the military community. During his visit, Surgeon General Adams was able to tour various parts of the facility, meet with current patients and learn firsthand of their experience and treatment programs.

Surgeon General Adams had the following to say about his visit:

“It was an honor to visit a treatment center today in Virginia as part of a coordinated effort for top Trump Administration officials to hold listening sessions on the frontlines of the opioid epidemic, the day after the President directed agencies to use all appropriate emergency and other relevant authorities to address the opioid crisis and the Acting Secretary of Health and Human Services declared a nationwide public health emergency as a result of the opioids crisis. Empowering local communities and civil-society groups is a key part of the Department of Health and Human Services’s comprehensive strategy for tackling opioid addiction. We enjoyed hearing the perspectives of a number of treatment experts today. We look forward to more such visits to come, as we raise awareness of the crisis that President Trump has made a top priority.”

More information on Phoenix House may be found here: https://www.phoenixhouse.org/