Citing surge in fatal overdoses, Biden promises more drug addiction help By (0) President Joe Biden, shown here on March 29, said Monday the nation can't lose sight of the substance abuse crisis in the United States. Pool Photo by Stefani Reynolds/UPI | License Photo April 5 (UPI) -- The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to sharply higher drug overdose deaths and the federal government will continue to take "urgent action" to combat addiction, President Joe Biden said Monday. In a video message delivered during the 10th annual Drug and Heroin Summit, Biden noted that fatal opioid overdoses surged last year as the global health crisis deepened.