    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [March 18, 1997]
    [Pages 323-324]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Telephone Remarks to a National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
    Dinner
    March 18, 1997

        The President. Hello, Joe. Can you hear me all right?
        Joseph A. Califano, Jr. Yes, sir.
        The President. Well, thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for the
    applause. And I'd like to be there with you tonight, you know, but I'm
    not particularly mobile at this time. I want to congratulate all of you
    who have had anything to do with the National Center on Addiction and
    Substance Abuse on the fifth anniversary. Hillary and I are pleased to
    be the special honorary chairs for CASA's anniversary dinner. And I'm
    delighted to join you in paying tribute to Nancy Reagan, to Peter Lund,
    and to Sandy Weill as they're honored for extraordinary achievements in
    our common crusade against substance abuse.
        All of you know very well that alcoholism, teen smoking, drug
    addiction, and other forms of substance abuse are claiming the lives of
    thousands of people every year and fueling crime, domestic violence,
    disease, and death. But because of the efforts of the National Center on
    Addiction and Substance Abuse and so many other people throughout our
    country, we have reason to hope for a better future.
        In just 5 short years, CASA has established itself as one of our
    Nation's premier institutions in the field of substance abuse. In
    communities all across our Nation, concerned individuals and groups from
    all parts of our society are coming together under the leadership of
    CASA to empower our people with the information and services they need
    to lead productive and drug-free lives.
        I especially want to commend Joe Califano and the board of
    directors, the staff, and the special supporters of CASA for your vision
    and your leadership in this crusade to protect our families, our
    friends, our neighbors, and our future from the ravages of substance
    abuse. Your knowledge and professionalism and hard work will make our
    Nation stronger and our future brighter.
        Our administration is taking forceful measures to help our citizens
    in this crucial endeavor. We're attacking the supply of illegal
    narcotics at its source, sending a strong message to our Nation's young
    people about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse to prevent
    it before it begins, including a $175 million national antidrug media
    campaign directed toward our youth that's part of our budget proposal,
    and doing everything we can, finally, to have the right kind of law
    enforcement that focuses on prevention as well.
        We want to be good partners with you. But everyone in America has to
    recognize the unique role that the National Center on Addiction and
    Substance Abuse has played in concentrating our attention and making us
    know that we have to keep working on this problem. And we cannot
    tolerate the trends of recent years in increased substance abuse among
    our young people. We're going to turn that around, and we're going to
    take our Nation where we need it to go, thanks in no small measure to
    your leadership.
        I give you my best wishes for a memorable anniversary celebration
    tonight and, even more important, for continued success. And once again,
    let me personally thank Nancy Reagan and Peter Lund and Sandy Weill for
    all that they have done.
        Thank you, Joe, and thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:05 p.m. from the Residence at the White
    House to dinner participants at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York
    City. In his remarks, he referred to Joseph A. Califano, Jr., president,
    National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse; and former First Lady
    Nancy Reagan, Peter A. Lund, president and chief executive officer, CBS,
    Inc., and Sanford I. Weill, chairman and chief executive officer, The
    Travelers Group, Inc., recipients of the CASA Distinguished Service
    Award.

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