The National Methamphetamine
Drug Conference
Opening Remarks
J. Robert Kerrey
United States Senator From Nebraska
As General McCaffrey mentioned, it is sometimes astonishing how little we know about this methamphetamine problem. We tend to hold onto an old idea and are unprepared to deal with new, emerging drug threats. When I say we, I mean all of us. We, politicians included, sometimes get attached to an old solution. We think that solution will work in the future because it worked for us twenty or thirty years ago. Consequently, we become unwilling or reluctant to change; we do not see an alternative way. Yet, we have a chance today to change this behavior. We can and will make a difference against this dangerous methamphetamine threat.
Senator Kerrey makes remarks about the need for new ideas to confront the drug challenge. |
As I reflect upon this problem, it seems to me we did not recognize this methamphetamine threat six or seven years ago. We need to think ahead. I believe we need a significant sense of urgency to solve this problem by reflecting on the past, present and future. We convened this conference so you can tell people like me what must be accomplished to improve our response to this dangerous drug problem. Do not worry about hurting my feelings or those of Barry McCaffrey or Tom Constantine, either—we want to know what must be done.
You are here because of your great intellect and talent and your great skill and experience. During the workgroups, I challenge you to listen to one another and to reach constructive conclusions that will help those like me, who have the responsibility for writing the laws of the land, and for those leaders like Governor Nelson, who have been advocating for resources and fighting the battle of drug abuse at the state level. You must help us to discover answers to this drug problem. We are making progress, but we cannot rest until we solve the problem entirely.
Tell us what must be done in the area of law enforcement, in the area of education, in the area of prevention and in the area of treatment. We cannot be shy or reluctant to voice our ideas. Do parents need to spend more time with their children? Do we need to adjust our curriculum in the school? Must we change the structure of law enforcement? Do you have ideas about corporate America? We must demand that business leaders not pressure employees to produce more and more so that these workers turn to drugs to give themselves the power to do more and more.
I congratulate you for coming here. I appreciate your attendance and interest. Most of all, I applaud your past service in the cause of making this country a better place to live. With your help, we have confidence we will do even better. Thank you very much.
