Remarks at a White House
Kickoff Ceremony for National Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Week
The President. Well, it's good to see
all of you here today as we kick off National Drug Abuse Education and
Prevention Week. On
All
of you who have stood at the frontlines in our fight against drug abuse for the
past several years have watched our numbers growing. Thousands have come
forward and volunteered; many are here today. The commitment
that each of you brings to our nation and our future is a powerful force for
good that no one should underestimate. The will of the American people
is being heard. We will no longer watch as illegal drugs infiltrate our
schools, invade our factories, and terrorize our citizens. We will no longer
tolerate this insidious evil threatening our values and undercutting our
institutions.
Parents
across the nation have led the way in an unyielding attack on drug abuse.
Aggressive corporate and school measures to end drug abuse have met with strong
support from workers, students, and the community. The media has focused its
spotlight on the issue, and the private sector is pitching in to raise
awareness across our nation to the perils of drug abuse. Most importantly, our
young people, encouraged by a growing public outcry and their own strength of
conviction, are forming peer-support groups in opposition to drug use. The
expansive efforts by all levels of government, by the business community, by
civic and social organizations, and most importantly by concerned individuals
are making a difference. After 5 years of aggressive enforcement and a massive
public awareness campaign, public attitudes are clearly against the use of
illegal drugs and drug awareness is at an all-time high.
A
new understanding is evident: Drug abuse is not a private matter. Using illegal
drugs is unacceptable behavior. And the costs are paid by all of society.
There's still much to be done. Misconceptions and misunderstanding still exist.
There are those who will still debate whether marijuana is dangerous or whether
cocaine can kill or whether illegal drugs are really a threat to our nation.
But increasing numbers of individuals are looking at the facts, and the facts
are simply not debatable: Illegal drugs are deadly. We are on the right track.
Slowly the wall of denial is crumbling down, and we've come to the time when
the American people are willing to make it clear that illegal drug use will no
longer be tolerated.
I'm
proud to say that from the early days of our administration,
Mrs.
Reagan. Yes, you got it right.
The President. Earlier today I signed
a proclamation designating the week of October 5th through October 11th as
National Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Week and today,
As
we begin National Drug Abuse Education and Prevention Week, the Federal
Government is also entering into the spirit of the national crusade for a
drug-free
I
strongly believe that if this battle is to be won -- and it must be won -- each
and every one of us has to become aware of the tremendous cost of illegal drugs
and then take a stand and get involved. Our stand may be as simple as not
tolerating illegal drug use at a party or as complex as implementing a strong
drug-free policy for a major corporation. Both approaches are effective and
both are essential. When we all come together, united and committed, then those
who are killing
So,
the week has started, and the crusade is on. And thank you,
and God bless you all. Thank you.
Reporter. Mr. President, is Mrs. Reagan going to
Q.
Are you going to
Q.
Is Mrs. Reagan going to
The President. No.
Mrs.
Reagan. No.
Q.
Why not? [Laughter]
Q.
Mrs. Gorbachev will be there.
Q.
The women are interested in the topics of the summit, are they not?
Q.
How do you feel, Mrs. Reagan?
Mrs.
Reagan. Fine, thank you.
Note:
The President spoke at