Press Release

Embargoed Until:
Contact: Jessica Snorgrass 202–395–6796
Jennifer De Vallance: 202–395–6648

June 26th, 2003

(WASHINGTON, DC)—John Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy and President Bush's "Drug Czar," announced the start of his new "25-Cities Initiative" today to help combat the nation's drug problem at the local level. The initiative focuses on 25 of the largest U.S. cities, which together comprise a substantial share of the substance abuse problem in the country. While urban, suburban and rural communities have all battled the drug problem, America's cities have been hit particularly hard. In effort to achieve the President's goal of reducing drug use among all Americans by 10 percent in two years and 25 percent in five years, Director Walters will visit 25 cities and engage directly with local citizens and officials. Although most communities actively address the drug problem with federal, state, and local agencies and programs, often these efforts do not work in concert with each other. This initiative will seek to coordinate and focus these efforts in achieving shared goals.

"The experience of this nation has taught us that when we push back against the problem of illegal drugs, the problem gets smaller," said Walters. "Our cities are regional epicenters of talent, commerce, and opportunity. Unfortunately, illegal drugs all too often make them places of addiction, missed chances, and despair. We want to bring to the same table all of the state, city, and local organizations and leaders that are tackling the drug problem individually and then help coordinate and focus their energies."

Many Americans are unaware of the significant progress that has been made recently in curbing drug use. In 2002, youth drug use dropped to its lowest levels in the past decade. Much of this decline can be attributed to the creativity and dedication of individuals at the local level. The White House is seeking to establish on-going relationships with these cities to continue to identify and accomplish significant improvement in certain key measures of drug use in each city. By meeting with volunteers and developing teams of local citizens and officials to identify and address problems, and subsequently monitoring results, the White House hopes to bolster cities' efforts to reduce substance abuse and addiction.

"In the coming months, I will personally visit 25 of America's largest cities," said Director Walters. "Leaders in these cities are using innovative ways to confront their drug problems. We believe this initiative will not only help each individual city focus its efforts, but the successful programs and techniques we learn in one city can be shared with other cities also struggling with this problem."

The 25 cities that will be included in the initiative are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.