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U.S. NEWS Thursday 30 March 2017
Trump, Christie pledge to combat nation’s opioid addiction

Trump also heard from a emoniously replaced by
mother whose son died incoming Vice President
from an overdose after Mike Pence in the days af-
a long battle with addi- ter the election due to dis-
tion. Her son, Trump told agreements over its direc-
the mother, hadn’t died in tion.
vain. While the governor has
“We want to help those long maintained that he
who have become so bad- plans to complete his last
ly addicted. Drug abuse year in office before mov-
has become a crippling ing to the private sector,
problem throughout the speculation remains that
United States,” said Trump, he is eyeing a top job in the
citing statistics that show administration, and people
drug overdose is now the close to him have said he is
leading cause of acciden- open to potentially joining
tal death in the country. it one day.
“This is a total epidemic Christie told The Associated
and I think it’s probably, al- Press earlier Wednesday
most un-talked about com- that while he has “no inter-
pared to the severity that est in having a permanent
we’re witnessing.” role” in the Trump adminis-
Christie, a longtime friend tration at this time, he was
President Donald Trump shakes hands with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during an opioid and of the president, headed happy to spearhead the
drug abuse listening session Wednesday, March 29, 2017, in the Cabinet Room of the White House Trump’s presidential transi- anti-drug effort at Trump’s
in Washington. tion before he was uncer- request.q
(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

JILL COLVIN was the first public event
Associated Press tied to the launch of a new
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- addiction commission that
dent Donald Trump is vow- Christie, a longtime Trump
ing to step up efforts to friend and formal rival, will
combat the nation’s opioid chair.
addiction crisis, and he’s Trump listened intently as
tapped New Jersey Gov. Vanessa Vitolo and AJ Sol-
Chris Christie to lead the omon, two recovering ad-
fight. dicts from New Jersey, de-
Trump convened an emo- scribed their harrowing bat-
tional roundtable Wednes- tles with substance abuse.
day with Christie, members Both became hooked on
of his Cabinet, law enforce- prescription pain killers,
ment chiefs, recovering and quickly transitioned to
addicts and advocates. It heroin.

2 ex-Christie aides sentenced
in bridge traffic revenge plot

DAVID PORTER months at separate hear-
Associated Press ings in the 2013 lane-clos-
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Two ing case. Both must also
former aides to Republican serve 500 hours of commu-
Gov. Chris Christie were nity service.
sentenced to prison on U.S. District Judge Susan
Wednesday for creating a Wigenton said it was clear
colossal traffic jam at the there was never a legiti-
George Washington Bridge mate traffic study, as they
for political revenge, a claimed during the trial,
scandal that sank Christie’s and said the defendants
White House campaign sought to mislead the jury
and was attributed by the with their testimony.
judge to a venomous cli- During Kelly’s portion of
mate inside state govern- the hearing, Wigenton also
ment. blamed the culture in Tren-
Bill Baroni, Christie’s ap- ton, the state capital. Trial
pointee to the Port Author- testimony described angry
ity of New York and New tirades by the governor and
Jersey, was sentenced to detailed his subordinates
two years in prison, and using the Port Authority as a
Bridget Kelly, Christie’s source of political favors for
former deputy chief of politicians whose endorse-
staff, was sentenced to 18 ments they sought.q