President Trump makes an announcement — 1/29/2026

The Great American Recovery Initiative: A Detailed Summary

Key Concepts:

• Great American Recovery Initiative: A new executive order aimed at combating addiction and substance abuse through a comprehensive, multi-sector approach.
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO): Designation of drug cartels as FTOs to enhance law enforcement and international pressure.
• Evidence-Based Care: Utilizing scientific research and proven methods in addiction treatment and prevention.
• Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care: Shifting focus from solely treatment to long-term recovery support and integration into society.
• Fentanyl Crisis: Addressing the influx of fentanyl and related substances into the United States.
• Naloxone (Narcan): Expanding access to this life-saving medication for opioid overdose reversal.
• Proactive Therapeutics: Expediting the approval of innovative treatments for addiction and pain management.

I. Introduction & Initiative Launch

The President announced the signing of a historic executive order establishing the “Great American Recovery Initiative,” a sweeping effort to combat addiction and substance abuse in the United States. He framed this as a critical issue affecting every country and emphasized the personal connection many present, including himself, have to the issue. The initiative aims to bring together federal, state, local, and private sector resources to support addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. He highlighted the contributions of key personnel involved, including co-chairs Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Katherine Bergam, as well as numerous Secretaries, Advisors, and Commissioners. David McNeel and Ryan Granger, representing WeatherTech, were also acknowledged for their American manufacturing success.

II. Addressing the Scope of the Problem & Recent Progress

The President stated that approximately 300,000 Americans die annually from drug and alcohol abuse, acknowledging the likely underestimation of this figure. However, he reported a significant 21% decrease in drug overdose deaths in the past year. Key achievements cited included:

• Border Security: Seizure of over 47 million fentanyl pills and 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder – a record amount.
• FTO Designation: Formal designation of drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations, a step previously resisted.
• Gulf of America Interdiction: A 97% reduction in drugs entering the country by sea, attributed to successful interdiction efforts. The President stated that each boat intercepted is estimated to be responsible for 25,000 deaths.

III. Secretary Kennedy’s Remarks: A Paradigm Shift in Approach

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., co-chair of the initiative, articulated a fundamental shift in the national approach to addiction. He emphasized that addiction is a disease – chronic, treatable, and not a moral failing. He criticized past responses as fragmented, stigmatizing, and silent, advocating for a science-based, compassionate, and coordinated approach.

Key points from Kennedy’s address:

• System Alignment: Aligning federal programs to operate cohesively rather than in silos.
• Measurable Goals & Transparency: Setting clear, measurable goals and reporting progress honestly to the public.
• Evidence-Based Care: Utilizing modern science and continuous support, mirroring approaches to other chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
• Prevention Focus: Prioritizing prevention efforts to address addiction before it takes hold.
• Long-Term Recovery Support: Expanding access to treatment and providing ongoing support for re-entry into society, recognizing that recovery is a continuous process.
• Scale of the Problem: Nearly 50 million Americans suffer from substance use disorder, with many lacking access to treatment or believing recovery is impossible.
• Personal Connection: Kennedy and Bergam both shared their personal experiences with addiction and recovery, highlighting the widespread impact of the disease. He referenced the tragic loss of Steve Whitkoff’s son, Andrew, to addiction, and the President’s own family’s struggles.
• Economic & Societal Impact: Recovery is presented as an economic, workforce, family, and national security issue, with significant costs associated with inaction.

IV. Katherine Bergam’s Testimony: The Power of Hope & Systemic Change

Katherine Bergam, the other co-chair, shared her deeply personal story of a 20-year struggle with alcohol addiction and her journey to 15 years of sobriety. She emphasized the importance of eliminating shame and stigma to encourage individuals to seek help.

Key takeaways from Bergam’s remarks:

• Personal Transformation: Her story underscored the possibility of recovery, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
• Systemic Failure: She argued that existing systems have failed to reach people early enough, long enough, and with dignity.
• Addiction as a Medical Disease: Bergam firmly stated that addiction is a lifelong, chronic, relapsing medical disease comparable to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
• Shift in Framework: The Great American Recovery Initiative represents a fundamental shift from reaction to prevention, fragmentation to coordination, stigma to science, and short-term fixes to long-term recovery.
• Comprehensive Approach: The initiative aligns federal leadership across multiple sectors (health, justice, labor, housing, etc.) around the central truth that addiction is a treatable disease.

V. Additional Remarks & Future Actions

Steve Whitkoff shared his personal story of losing his son, Andrew, to addiction and expressed gratitude for the President’s support during his time of grief. He highlighted the President’s commitment to fighting addiction.

Further announcements included:

• Proactive FDA Approvals: The FDA is expediting the approval process for promising addiction therapeutics, potentially reducing approval times from 10-12 years to weeks.
• Addressing New Synthetic Opioids: Proactive efforts to address emerging synthetic opioids, working with the Department of Justice to stay ahead of rapidly evolving chemical formulations.
• Over-the-Counter Naloxone: Making Naloxone, a life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication, available over-the-counter without a prescription.
• NIH Research: Continued investment in research through the NIH, leading to the development of non-opioid pain management solutions.

VI. Concluding Remarks & Political Context

The President concluded by reiterating the importance of the initiative and acknowledging the contributions of his team. He briefly addressed unrelated geopolitical issues, mentioning progress in negotiations with Russia and Ukraine and referencing a temporary cessation of hostilities due to severe weather conditions. He also responded to a question about a recent Fox poll regarding ISIS attacks.

This initiative represents a significant policy shift, emphasizing a compassionate, science-based, and comprehensive approach to addiction and substance abuse. The focus on prevention, long-term recovery support, and systemic alignment signals a departure from previous reactive strategies. The personal stories shared by key figures underscore the widespread impact of addiction and the importance of addressing it with empathy and urgency.