President Donald Trump declared a public health emergency Thursday to combat the current opioid crisis, with several business groups saying the president's action was a crucial step in tackling the problem.

Trump's declaration will free up some government resources for tackling opioid addiction, but not as many as if he had declared the crisis a national emergency, as the president originally pledged to do. The administration's critics also point to policies they say will undermine the nation's ability to fight opioid addiction, such as a proposed $400 million cut for drug abuse and mental health services in the federal budget. http://theatln.tc/2zUzEqf

Business groups painted a more optimistic picture in statements issued shortly after the declaration was issued. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for Labor, Immigration and Employee Benefits Randy Johnson said the crisis is "wreaking havoc on communities, businesses, and the workforce across the country."

"The personal costs are devastating and the economic toll is staggering," Johnson said. "All the stakeholders—government, health care providers, businesses, families, non-profits, and community leaders, and more—must join together to tackle this emergency."

The pharmaceutical industry also weighed in.

"We agree that this is a nationwide public health emergency and believe today's announcement will provide the federal government with more tools and resources to end a tragic epidemic that is being deeply felt by individuals, families and communities across the country," Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America CEO Stephen Ubl said.

Drug manufacturers and distributers have been blamed by public health advocates for creating the crisis by flooding certain parts of the country with opioid-based pain medications—an allegation the industry denies.

The Healthcare Distribution Alliance didn't comment on the controversy in its statement. Instead, association CEO John Gray said the pharmaceutical distributors his group represents support "every possible effort to reduce the use of opioids while preserving access for those in pain for whom there are limited options."

"While meaningful progress has been made to address the root causes of the epidemic, including the release of new clinical guidelines that can help stem the prevalence of overprescribing, more can be done to address and prevent opioid abuse and misuse among patients and medical providers," Gray said.

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