Advice from his late brother Fred is the reason US President Donald Trump cited as the reason he doesn't drink alcohol.
Speaking on Friday at a White House event attended by former addicts, parents of overdose victims and treatment specialists, Mr Trump declared a "public health emergency".
He also made a personal reference to addiction in his family by citing his deceased brother Fred, an alcoholic whose advice made an impression on him.
"He would tell me, don't drink," Mr Trump said. "And I listened to him. To this day I've never had a drink."
The claim comes despite instances of Mr Trump being photographed sipping on drinks appearing to be wine during official events.
Fred Trump Jr died in 1981 at the young age of 43.
This is how some social media users reacted to Mr Trump's claim.
US President Donald Trump (R) raises his glass to a toast by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, with Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (L) Sept 19, 2017 Source: Getty
Mr Trump declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency but stopped short of making a national emergency declaration he promised months ago that would have freed up more federal money.
Responding to a growing problem, particularly in rural areas, Mr Trump's declaration will redirect federal resources and loosen regulations to combat opioid abuse, senior administration officials said on Thursday.
But it does not result in more money to combat the crisis. Some critics, including Democratic politicians, say the declaration is meaningless without additional funding.
