First lady promotes Trump’s approach to opioid crisis in NH

First ly Melania Trump used her first solo trip outside Washington since before start of coronavirus pandemic to showcase a piece of her “Be Best” youth well-being initiative on Thursday in a state her husband is hoping to win in vember.

first ly toured Concord Hospital in New Hampshire’s capital city with James Carroll, director of Office of National Drug Control Policy, in an effort to highlight hospital’s treatment programs for babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome. Mrs. Trump, who has focused many of her public efforts on health issues such as nation’s opioid crisis, tweeted earlier in day that appearance was a d to Recovery Month.

appearance came during stretch run of this year’s presidential election, in which President Donald Trump needs to pick up swing states like New Hampshire to win reelection. Trump lost state to Democratic minee Hillary Clinton by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2016. It was second narrowest margin of victory in election. Only Michigan was closer, and Trump won that state.

During Thursday’s appearance, Melania Trump said combating opioid abuse is one of “three pillars of my Be Best initiative.” She also touted her husband’s ministration’s release of $1.5 billion to states and tribes to dress crisis.

“Be Best encours creation of a safer, healthier and more hopeful world for our children,” Mrs. Trump said. “And thanks to my husband and this ministration, we are doing exactly that.”

first ly wore a face mask for entirety of her appearance at hospital. tour included a roundtable discussion with Carroll and hospital officials, and a tour of hospital’s Simulation Center, which included activities designed to help provide comfort to babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Carroll said ministration’s goal is to “reduce supply of drugs on street, to try to give se people a chance to put ir hand up and say ‘I’m here.’”

Melania Trump also delivered 20 fleece “Be Best” blankets to hospital’s special case nursery.

opioid crisis has hit New Hampshire hard. state h nearly 36 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 residents in 2018. That was one of six highest rates in country.

first ly also me a stop at Manchester Fire Department Central Station, where she and president visited in 2018.