1 June, 2006
Vilnius

Problems caused by drug abuse in the society are not a new phenomenon. For hundreds of years civilisations have been struck by drug epidemics of various kinds. It was over hundred years ago that the international community started to cooperate to create common rules in order to tackle the problems caused by drug abuse. These common rules became international conventions under the UN flag. Almost all countries in the world have signed the UN Convention on the Right of the Child to grow up in a drug-free environment.

It is our duty to create that environment.

In some countries, most of which are in Europe, there are those who don’t believe in the possibility of creating a drug-free environment for our children. They believe that illegal drugs are an accepted part of the modern society.

It is the drug abuse itself that poses a threat against the individual freedom and the freedom of societies. Legalising drugs can therefore not be a solution to the problems. We must never give up on one single human being who is caught in drug abuse.

We, the participants of the conference, therefore urge our leading decision makers and opinion builders to give their strong support to the Conventions our countries have undersigned, not only in words but also in actions. We furthermore urge them to clearly distance themselves from the drug legalisation movement’s demands.

Our goal stands firm: a drug-free Europe.

On behalf of the participants of the conference