Washington (CNN) The Trump administration -- not known for its consistent approach to policy targets -- has chased one goal with unusually steady determination: Taking on the opioid epidemic.

During President Donald Trump's chaotic first 15 months in office, his administration has fought for more funding in the federal budget to the crisis that he first learned about during the 2016 campaign as he stumped in the hard-hit state of New Hampshire. He has also signed legislation aimed at combating the sale of deadly synthetic opioids.

Still, there is a grim reality confronting the White House as officials acknowledge that, despite the effort, the situation isn't improving.

"Obviously, the crisis next door, the opioid epidemic ... didn't start on the first day President Trump got here or even last year or last decade," said Kellyanne Conway, Trump's senior counselor and the top aide President's dealing with the crisis in a recent interview. "It has been increasing for quite a while and we are fully aware that these numbers could get worse before they get better."

There were more than 63,000 overdose deaths in the United States in 2016, including over 42,000 that involved an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even as the number of opioid prescriptions in 2016 fell to 236 million from a high of 282 million in 2012, experts expect the number of overdoses will grow in 2017. Conway said that there is some indication that the national overdose death numbers could plateau in 2017, but said the administration would not know for months.

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