President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing the White House Great American Recovery Initiative, a nationwide effort to confront the United States’ persistent addiction and substance use disorder crisis.

The initiative, announced from the Oval Office on January 29, is designed to mobilise a coordinated federal response that brings together government agencies, state and local partners, healthcare providers, community organisations and the private sector to expand prevention, treatment and recovery support for millions of Americans affected by addiction.

Trump described addiction as a widespread public health emergency that affects families and communities across the country and pledged that the initiative would harness the full resources and authority of the federal government to save lives and restore families.

The executive order positions addiction as a chronic yet treatable disease, emphasising early intervention, evidence-based treatment, prevention strategies and long-term support for individuals in recovery.

The Great American Recovery Initiative will be co-chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Senior Advisor for Addiction Recovery Kathryn Burgum.

Under the framework, senior leaders from key departments — including Justice, Education, Housing and Urban Development, Labor and Veterans Affairs — will work together to align policies and programmes addressing substance use disorder, aiming to reduce fragmentation in federal efforts and improve outcomes nationwide.

A White House fact sheet notes that tens of millions of Americans suffer from addiction, and that a significant majority of those in need of treatment do not receive it or recognise that they require help.

The initiative’s strategy includes advising federal agency leaders on directing grants to support recovery services, integrating prevention and care into broader public health and social systems, and strengthening partnerships with faith-based groups and community organisations.

Administration officials said the initiative represents a fundamental shift toward treating addiction with comprehensive, science-based approaches and underscores the government’s commitment to addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying drivers of substance use disorder.

The launch of the Great American Recovery Initiative marks a renewed focus on public health leadership and cross-sector collaboration in confronting one of the country’s most pressing challenges.