(WDNews) — President Donald J. Trump on Thursday signed an executive order creating the White House Great American Recovery Initiative, a new effort aimed at coordinating a nationwide response to substance use disorder.
The initiative is designed to align federal agencies, healthcare systems, faith-based organizations and the private sector to expand addiction treatment and recovery, with the stated goals of saving lives, restoring families and strengthening communities.
The order establishes the initiative as a White House-led effort co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the president’s senior adviser for addiction recovery. Additional members include an executive director, cabinet secretaries and senior administration officials. The White House said several participants have personal ties to the addiction crisis.
Federal data cited in the order show addiction affects about 48.4 million Americans, or 16.8% of the U.S. population. Among the 40.7 million adults with a substance use disorder in 2024 who did not receive treatment, more than 95% did not believe they needed help.
The administration says addiction contributes to rising healthcare costs, workforce shortages, homelessness and family instability, costing the nation hundreds of billions of dollars each year.
Under the order, the initiative is directed to better coordinate federal addiction programs, increase public awareness of addiction as a treatable disease, integrate prevention and recovery services across agencies, and guide federal grants toward long-term treatment and resilience. It will also consult with states, tribal nations, local governments, community organizations and faith-based groups.
The White House said the initiative builds on prior actions taken by Trump, including signing the SUPPORT Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 and the HALT Fentanyl Act, along with efforts to expand treatment access, prevention programs and research during both his current and previous terms.
The executive order takes effect immediately and will be carried out within existing law and available funding.
