2006 Speeches

“You Got Game” – National Drug Abuse Control Council - October 23, 2006

Belize City, Belize

Good afternoon and thank you for being a part of the official launching of the “You Got Game” Life Skills Program developed by the Belize National Drug Abuse Control Council and supported by the U.S. Embassy.  I am pleased that our Embassy could play a role in assisting the drug demand reduction programs in Belize.   It is one example of the positive partnership that exists between the Council and the Embassy.

This is the second Life Skills Program, sponsored by the Embassy.  The first - “Soccer in the Streets - No Drugs, No Crime” – was launched by the Council earlier this year in the Corozal District.   It was a great success with over 110 students between the ages of 12 and 17 participating.

The program launched today - “You Got Game” - is aimed at helping at-risk youth in Belize City resist the danger of substance-abuse, alcohol and crime, and by developing better coping skill, encourage the participants to  make healthy decisions for their lives.  There are alternatives to experimenting with substances.  There are other ways to be cool.

Drug abuse is a global phenomenon and the problems of addiction cut across age, class, ethnic and gender lines.  No one is immune.  Substance abuse leads to increased rates of crime and violence, susceptibility to disease such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, and a breakdown in social behavior.  The individual suffers, their friends and families suffer and society suffers because it robs young people of their potential.  Substance abuse is especially damaging to young people because it interferes with the normal mental and emotional growth processes through adolescent years.  Also, studies show that persons who use substances at an early age are more likely to develop an addiction.

Every day, young people in the United States and Belize feel the pressure to experiment with illegal substances.   Subtle and not-so-subtle influences from the media, peers, and strangers tell them that using drugs is the way to fit in, to feel good, or to forget their problems.   Tragically, those who try and become addicted to drugs may not realize it for some time.  This is why drug demand reduction programs are so important.  Community action and public education are central to an effective drug control program – one that de-normalizes drug use by creating a climate of public intolerance toward the drug using behavior that all too often leads to addiction. 

While the U.S. Embassy continues our efforts to reduce the flow of narcotics into the U.S. (and in Belize), agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration have also invested millions of dollars (over $70 million) in demand reduction programs in communities across America and throughout the world.  These programs include the Drug Free Community coalitions, which bring together a wide range of community participants to confront the issue of substance abuse on the local level.  These coalitions have become a strong force for positive change in our nation.  Currently, there are over 700 funded Drug Free Community coalitions in the US.  They exist in every state and form the backbone of our nation’s community prevention system. 

Private citizens support demand reduction programs through organizations like The Partnership for a Drug Free America, a non-profit coalition of communication, health, medical, and educational professionals working together to reduce illicit drug use and help people live healthy, drug-free lives. 

Demand reduction programs work.  A recent survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that among 12-17 year olds in the U.S. overall illicit drug use – including marijuana, heroin, and ecstasy – is down from 11.6 percent in 2002 to 9.9 percent in 2005.   This means that 367,000 fewer youths used any illicit drug in the past month in 2005 compared to 2002.   Think, for a moment, about that number.  367,000.  That is larger than the entire population of Belize.   If demand reduction programs in the United States can accomplish this, imagine what a drug demand reduction program – such as “You Got Game” – could do for the young people of Belize City.  Imagine a reduction in crime and violence.  Imagine a reduction in new cases of HIV and hepatitis.  Imagine a drug-free Belize City. 

I want to thank Mrs. Bodden and the National Drug Abuse Council of Belize for developing the “You Got Game” Life Skills program. 

I also want to acknowledge the Belize Association of Secondary School Principals for agreeing to integrate the program into its after school programming. 

Finally, I want to thank all of you for being here at the official launch.  Your presence shows your concern for and commitment to the youth of Belize City. 

Together we can make a difference.   So let’s keep up the good work.