Jeff Sessions, Kellyanne Conway step up DEA to fight drug crisis

Attorney General Jeff Sessions vowed on Wednesday to step up enforcement in order to combat the nation’s opioid crisis — with the help of Kellyanne Conway.

Sessions announced $12 million in grants and a new Drug Enforcement Administration division that will oversee the Appalachian region to help battle the growing epidemic.

“Today, we are facing the deadliest drug crisis in American history,” Sessions said.

He added that there will be new federal requirements for all prosecutors’ offices to designate an opioid coordinator who will customize each region’s strategy.

Sessions said that the steps “will make our law enforcement efforts smarter and more effective—and ultimately they will save American lives.”

Sessions also said that White House adviser Kellyanne Conway will be leading the charge in combating the epidemic from the White House, representing the administration’s ongoing efforts.

The attorney general said that Conway was “extremely talented” and “understands messaging” of the crisis.

President Trump declared the opioid crisis a health emergency last month, stopping short of declaring a national emergency. The move freed up some resources, but critics said it wasn’t enough to end the epidemic.