Christie, Trump to launch drug addiction task force
WASHINGTON — After being unceremoniously dropped from President Donald Trump’s transition team, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is dipping his toes into the administration by taking the lead of a White House commission to combat opioid addiction.
Christie was at the White House Tuesday, meeting with the administration in preparation for the commission rollout.
He and President Trump will host an opioid and drug abuse listening session at the White House to formally kick off the effort Wednesday.
It’s a familiar setting for the governor, who has made fighting heroin and prescription drug abuse a centerpiece of his administration and spoke extensively about the issue during his own presidential bid.
Christie spoke extensively about the issue during his presidential bid and dedicated his final gubernatorial year to addressing the drug crisis.
FILE – In this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo, then President-elect Donald Trump, left, waves to the media as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in Bedminster, N.J. After being unceremoniously dropped from President Donald Trumpâs transition team, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is dipping his toes into the administration as he takes the lead of a White House commission to combat opioid addiction. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE – In this Nov. 20, 2016 file photo, then President-elect Donald Trump, left, waves to the media as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie arrives at the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse, in Bedminster, N.J. After being unceremoniously dropped from President Donald Trumpâs transition team, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is dipping his toes into the administration as he takes the lead of a White House commission to combat opioid addiction. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)