Colleagues, ministers, former president of Iceland Ms. Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, other distinguished guests

Let me at the outset welcome you all to this 9th Mayors' conference of European Cities Against Drugs which is now held in Reykjavik for the first time. I would also like to thank the choir for the beautiful song they gave us - this was the Children's Choir from Öldutúnsskóli elementary school.

Dear conference guests
Reykjavik signed the Stockholm Resolution in 1994 along with 26 other European Cities. The aim of those cities was - and is - to attain better quality of life for our citizens or as stated in the Resolution: Our work against drugs is undertaken because we care for individuals, families and communities. Another reason was the need for cities in Europe to develop cooperation among us so we can benefit from each others´ approaches and experiences. By signing the Stockholm Resolution the cities involved took on the responsibility of working according to The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990) which says that we "shall take all appropriate measures, including legislative, administrative, social and educational measures, to protect children from the illicit use of narcotic drugs…"

In Reykjavík we have taken this commitment and the responsibility it calls for very seriously. We have sought new ways of dealing with drugs and drug related issues and taken preventive measures in a most strategic manner. We have organized projects, programs and networks within the city and with other stakeholders, such as the state and NGO´s. The five year program Drug free Iceland, 1997-2002, is the largest coordinated effort that has been organized in this country. The program was a joint project among the City of Reykjavik, the Government of Iceland and ECAD. The Association of Local Authorities in Iceland joined the program as a formal participant in 1998. The program is not only the single most coordinated effort ever taken on domestically in these matters, but also a very ambitious one. Its main goal was to raise awareness and to unite the strengths of national and local authorities, organizations and the public in general. In a strategic manner it mapped out new and more efficient methods to prevent the import, distribution, selling and the use of illicit drugs. The program ran its course earlier this year and is now being empirically evaluated by professionals. Yet, there is evidence already of clear, tangible results. Surveys confirm that the use of accepted drugs such as tobacco and alcohol as well as illicit drugs has decreased in recent years here in Reykjavik. There are also other indicators such as fewer interventions on behalf of the police in the affairs of children and teenagers under the age of 16. Children of that age are no longer seen wandering about unattended downtown in the middle of the night as was quite common a few years ago.

In my mind there is no doubt that the project has and will both strengthen the society and improve our governance with regard to projects and activities that serve our goals. I would like to use this opportunity and express my gratitude to the project managers, the steering committee and all our partners in the project.

As I mentioned earlier, our aim is to enhance quality of life in our cities and to be better prepared in a new era to meet and tackle both challenges and opportunities in an effective way. I would like to take a positive view and emphasize the opportunities that lie in extensive educational programs for the young generation and all the other maturing resources available to them such as rich cultural life, leisure activities and knowledge of all sorts. Yet, I am well aware that for many young people it can be an ordeal to find their way and to make decisions, decisions that can be crucial for their future as individuals. In my frequent discussions with young people about the future I first and foremost experience spirit and high hopes. In addition, however, I sense a certain degree of insecurity and fear of not being able to live up to the standards and the competition that characterize our lives. Under such circumstances it is important to have access to a good support system, counseling and help. We all need a great deal of support in our lives, but it is crucial for the kids who face problems and in one way or another have lost control of their lives. In particular perhaps, those who have struggled with drug problems.

Too many young people get addicted to drugs at an early age and we loose too many of them, I am sad to say. Therefore, it is our duty never to give up, to seek all means available to provide people with safe environments - safe neighborhoods where children and young adults are not lured into trying drugs. The consequences can be - and often are - fatal. Drugs can be viewed as an enemy or an epidemic and I believe it is hard to find a family that has not been affected in one way or another. It is our duty and our responsibility as local and national authorities, as parents and as citizens to do what is in our power to prevent it from spreading.

It can be argued that the key to success lies in three main fields: Firstly, in effective preventive work, secondly in well-organized custom- and police work and thirdly in efficient service and rehabilitation programs.

Our city, the City of Reykjavik has adopted a clear policy in this field and the essence of it is to provide children and young people with opportunities for education and activities, to make our neighborhoods safe and drug free and to provide those who need support good services. This vision is reflected in all our work, calls for coordination at all levels, and is a crucial part in ensuring quality of life for our citizens and in my view also basic human rights.

This brings me to the theme of this conference, which is Human rights - the Issue for Europe. The Annual Mayor's Conferences of European Cities Against Drugs focus on various topics. As we are all aware of, not only does drug dealing and drug abuse cause enormous problems in Europe, but it can also be seen as one of the largest threats to basic human rights today. This year the annual meeting plans to discuss human rights issues from a broad perspective and the focus will be on the social and economic aspects and the implications of drug trafficking, drug use and the operation of drug cartels for the new Europe. Different approaches are taken in the four keynote addresses that we will hear today. All themes are of great interest and great concern.

I would like to take this opportunity and thank our distinguished speakers for sharing their opinions and expertise as well as others that will contribute to this discussion. In particular I want to thank former president of Iceland, Ms. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, for being the conference patron. Her sincere support in this field is of great value.

I also want to stress my hopes for a creative analysis and discussion at the conference. I am sorry and do apologize for not being able to contribute personally to the entire conference program. As you may know, we are in the midst of a city council election campaign and to tell you the truth, as a Mayor candidate I need more than 24 hours to attend to all my duties these days!

Thank you for your attention and have a good day.

 
[< Back]