Ronald Reagan

“ Drug abuse in the United States continues to be a major threat to the future of our Nation. Millions of our citizens are risking their health and their future by abusing drugs. The effects are clearly demonstrated by the tragic reports in daily news accounts of innocent people killed by drunk drivers, death by overdose, drug-related murders, drug smuggling, and other public outrages. Less obvious, but more pervasive, are the individual tragedies which destroy a person or family and which may cause loss of a job, interruption of schooling, and a reduction in our Nation's productivity. ”

“ Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the week of November 2 through November 9, 1983, as National Drug Abuse Education Week. I call on all Americans to join the battle against drug abuse to protect our children so that we ensure a healthy and productive generation of Americans as our contribution to the future. ”

“ The Chemical People Project is an example of how a grassroots approach to organizing town meetings and community efforts can break through the "wall of denial" common to alcohol and drug abuse and can stimulate constructive action where it counts-in ourselves. We must continue to encourage and support efforts to educate our citizens to the health and societal consequences of drug abuse. Such efforts are an essential foundation for a successful national program to reduce and prevent drug abuse in our country. ”