Jeff Sessions rolls out new initiatives to fight opioid epidemic

Brian Zimmerman -

During a Wednesday press conference, Attorney General Jeff Sessions introduced new joint initiates the Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration will carry out to address the nation's opioid crisis, according to a report from CBS News.

Efforts include a $12 million investment for state and local law enforcement, restructuring the DEA's field division, establishing a DEA field division in Louisville, Ky., and requiring the offices of federal prosecutors to designate a coordinator to develop customized anti-opioid strategies.

"The current Louisville district office will now be the 22nd DEA Field Division, with about 90 special agents and 130 task force officers," Mr. Sessions said, according to CBS News. "This field division will cover West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. These areas covered by this new division face similar drug threats, enabling this division to better focus on those threats."

During the press conference, Mr. Sessions also said President Donald Trump asked White House Councilor Kellyanne Conway to lead the administration's efforts to address the opioid epidemic. The attorney general described Ms. Conway as "exceedingly talented" and said she "understands messaging," according to CBS News.

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