http://www.usembassy.it/file2003_09/alia/a3092224en.htmREMARKS BY AMBASSADOR MEL SEMBLER
AT 5TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON DRUG PREVENTION
Rome, September 22, 2003
Good morning. Thank you for the opportunity to be here today for this extremely important conference. On behalf of my government, I would like to thank the government of Italy ? and especially President Casini, Deputy Prime Minister Fini, and Prefect Soggiu? for their dedication to making this event a reality. I also would like to express a deep sense of gratitude for their commitment to pursuing the fight against drugs in close cooperation with the United States.
And I want to acknowledge the Herculean efforts of Father Sorce and the Casa Rosetta to organize this Fifth Global Conference On Drug Prevention.
I would like to extend a warm personal welcome to all the conference participants. It is encouraging to see gathered here in Rome such a diverse group of policymakers, legislators, specialists, and those committed to working day in and day out with people struggling to overcome drug abuse. I am impressed by the high quality of the speakers today and the presenters at the specialized workshops that will be held during the week.
The presence in this auditorium of representatives from over eighty-five countries is proof that the problem of drug abuse is global in scope. Global problems demand global solutions, and everyone here recognizes that we can successfully address this major public health issue only by coming together, exchanging ideas, and working toward common goals. That is why this conference will make such a positive difference in the fight against drugs.
I stand before you today not only as the united states ambassador to Italy, but also as someone who has been personally involved in trying to help solve the illegal drug issue. Since the ?70?s my wife Betty and I have been witnesses to the cruel reality that drug abuse debilitates users, shatters families, tears apart communities, and severely damages the most vulnerable of all of us ? our children.
If we can prevent drug abuse we can help people realize their potential as human beings.
To do this, we need an anti-drug strategy that balances demand and supply reduction. We must double our efforts to educate young people on the facts so they understand the dangers before falling prey to drugs. We must remain committed to treating the illness of drug addiction. And we must support our law enforcement agencies in their efforts to limit ? and hopefully one day eliminate ? the availability of drugs.
I am confident that when this conference concludes, the community of individuals committed to preventing drug abuse will have a better understanding of how to achieve your vital objectives, and will be better equipped to help those in need.
Thank you for coming to Rome, thank you for caring, thank you for the critical work that you will do here this week, and thank you for how you will use the knowledge when you return to your communities and leadership responsibilities.
