Trump expected to unveil plan to combat opioid crisis on Monday

MANCHESTER, N.H. — President Donald Trump's plan to combat opioid drug addiction calls for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers, including the death penalty where it's appropriate under current law.

Administration officials say Trump also wants Congress to pass legislation reducing the amount of drugs necessary to trigger mandatory minimum sentences on traffickers who knowingly distribute certain illicit opioids.

The president is scheduled to unveil his plan Monday in New Hampshire, a state hard-hit by the crisis. He'll be accompanied by first lady Melania Trump, who has shown an interest in the issue, particularly as it pertains to children.

Trump has mused openly in recent weeks about subjecting drug dealers to the "ultimate penalty."

His three-part plan includes multiple steps to raise awareness, cut the illicit drug flow and expand proven treatment options.

The district fire chief in Manchester, New Hampshire, says the state is a hotspot in the opioid crisis, where now they're averaging at about 80 overdoses a month just in the city of Manchester. Several people have died this year as a result of the ongoing crisis.

The fire chief hopes President Trump's visit on Monday will make a difference in this epidemic.

Isaiah DeFalco, an opioid addict, says he came to Manchester's fire station on Sunday for help with his addiction after he relapsed a few days ago and says they've been extremely helpful.

With a baby on the way, DeFalco is trying to come clean and, like many addicts, relies on "safe stations" throughout that process.

"Ive been a heroin addict for about 4 years, along with crack meth, I do anything I can get my hands on," said DeFalco. "I come here and everybody’s been very great, it seems to be going very well so far."

The Manchester fire station became the first safe station in the country about two years ago, where they launched a program to help addicts get the help they need.

District Fire Chief Mike Gamache says it's a program that's gained national attention in the fight against the opioid epidemic.

"We’re probably about 21 months into the program and we’ve had 3,300  people come and knock on our door," said Gamache. "We’re not judgmental, we’re going to take you in, we’re going to do an assessment and point you in the right direction."

President Trump hopes to minimize the opioid problem by passing stricter penalties for drug traffickers, as well as expanding treatment programs like the one in Manchester.

He's expected to announce his new policy at the Manchester Community College after visiting the Manchester Fire Station.

At the fire station, the president will host a private event for first responders, and then head to the community college at around 2:30 p.m.

Chief Gamache says he's looking forward to the president's visit, and hopes the new plan puts a dent into the crisis they've been experiencing.

"We’re ecstatic that he’s bringing attention to it, and hopefully it makes a difference, at the end of the day if it saves one more life, mission accomplished."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Cox Media Group