It is a start.

That’s our take on President Donald Trump’s declaration of the opioid crisis as a national emergency.

Sure, we would like new dollars attached to the fight. It’s hard to beat a national emergency without money. But we appreciate President Trump’s stepping up to declare the opioid crisis a national emergency to create a starting point in the battle.

No demographic is left untouched by this crisis and it is expanding faster than we are prepared to manage. Too many lives have been lost to opiate addiction and too many lives are being destroyed.

President Trump committed to fighting addiction on the campaign trail and his declaration made this week does not require congressional approval. Using powers of the office, he made a 90-day declaration that can be renewed multiple times.

The declaration is the first step, but dollars will ultimately be needed if the United States hopes to effectively fight this problem.

White House officials said they will encourage Congress to provide money to a public health emergency fund during end-of-year budget negotiations

Let’s hope so. The Public Health Emergency Fund currently has only $57,000 available.

With addiction, they say acknowledging the problem is the first step

Now, President Trump has publicly declared the opiate crisis a national emergency, providing a starting point in this war.