U.S. President Barack Obama will sign legislation passed by Congress aimed at combating a nationwide epidemic of heroin and other opioid addictions, the White House said on Wednesday. The White House said in a statement the bill “falls far short” of the necessary funding, but Obama would sign it “because some action is better than none.” Representational File/Agency image. Obama has requested $920 million for opioid treatment programs over two years. They called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, to back up this legislation with $600 million in immediate emergency funds. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 28,000 people died from opioid overdose in 2014.

Source: Indian Express July 14, 2016 03:04 UTC