Local opioid reform advocate invited to White House for presidential announcement

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — President Donald Trump is expected to declare the opioid crisis a “national emergency” and when he does a Brunswick County man will be there.

Don Flattery’s 26-year-old son died of an overdose three years ago. Since then, Flattery and his wife have been outspoken about the epidemic. After his son passed away Flattery went door to door in Washington DC, knocking on members of Congress’s homes, all to share his son’s story.

Through his actions he made connections and got invited to the President’s State of the Union Address, the opportunity to testify in front of the US House of Representatives, and now a personal invitation to the White House for President Trump’s announcement.

“I’m hopeful that the president will step up and make that declaration and that the public will understand that better, that we’re in we are in the midst of a crisis,” Flattery said.

If the president makes the declaration, Flattery said it would increase awareness, allow federal government to move around resources to helps various states address the problem, and allow officials to streamline regulations and implement early emergency measures for those seeking treatment.

“Last year we had 50,000 opioid related overdose deaths. And the number of deaths is, is going exponential,” Flattery said. “So, we have to embrace this and by declaring a national public health emergency I think it sends the message to the public from the highest levels of government that we, we’re in crisis.”

The president’s announcement is scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Although Flattery said this would be a step in the right direction, he says they still have a lot of work ahead of them in the fight against the epidemic.