[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 22, 1992]
[Pages 1160-1161]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at an Antidrug Rally in Arlington, Virginia

July 22, 1992
    Reverend, thank you, sir. It is most fitting that a ceremony like 
this, where we celebrate what a community has done, open its meeting 
with prayer. I'm proud to be here. My dear friend the Congressman from 
here, Frank Wolf, he and I came over together, and he was ecstatic in 
trying to give me the heartbeat of this community and tell me what you 
all have achieved.
    I've read about it, I've seen stories from time to time, but there's 
nothing like being on the scene to get a real feel. All I will say is 
that we have got to find various ways with which to win the battle 
against drugs, and this community is setting an example really for the 
rest of the Nation.
    So what I wanted to do here today was simply turn it over to you all 
and hear what you've done. This morning I met at the White House with 
some business leaders, and they're working in the business community to 
make the business places free of drugs, workplaces drug-free. And 
they're making progress.
    The reduction in cocaine, casual use by teenagers is down by 63 
percent in the last 3 years. So you all are making some progress.
    But I really came over to not only congratulate you on this, what is 
it, the second anniversary of the initiation of this project, but to say 
that the Government couldn't

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possibly have done it, it couldn't possibly have happened without this 
community involvement, dedicated women, dedicated men saying, ``Look, 
we're going to safeguard these kids, these precious kids, against the 
use of drugs.'' So what I want to do is hear from you as to how it went.

                    Note: The President spoke at 1:58 p.m. at Drew 
                        Elementary School. In his remarks, he referred 
                        to Richard Green, associate pastor of Mount 
                        Salvation Baptist Church, who gave the 
                        invocation.