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Address to Students Re: Drugs 9/12/89 [1]
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Address to Students Re: Drugs 9/12/89 [1]
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MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Speech File Draft Files
Subseries:
Chron File, 1989-1993
OA/ID Number:
13501
Folder ID Number:
13501-010
Folder Title:
Address to Students Re: Drugs 9/12/89 [1]
Stack:
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Section:
Shelf:
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G
25
6
4
7
Document No.
0+0768 SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
9/7/89
DATE:
9/8/89 10:00 AM
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
8
A/O
410:24
24
SUBJECT:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: ADDRESS TO STUDENTS
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
BENNETT
FITZWATER
PETERSMEYER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 10:00 AM Friday, September 8, with
a copy to my office. Thank you.
RESPONSE:
no comment
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
(Lange/Blessey)
September 7, 1989
3:20 p.m.
89 SEP 7 P3: 45
[SCHOOLS.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
[LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW] Somehow the fall always feels like
a time to start over. It's a time full of possibility. Everyone
gets a new chance.
[TO CAMERA] You know, Presidents don't talk directly to
students very often. But what's been on my mind lately is very
important. You may have heard my address to the nation last
week. But I wanted this message to go straight to you.
[LEANS ON EDGE OF DESK] When I was thinking about what I
wanted to say to you today about drugs, I tried to put myself in
your place. To look at it from your perspective. But you know,
the harder I tried, the harder it got.
You live in complicated times. You deal with pressures that
people like me -- people like your mom or dad -- never had to
face.
Some say my generation came of age in a simpler time. A
time when doing lines meant reciting poems. When Coke only came
in bottles. Rock only came on the radio. Hash only came in
cans. And the idea of smoking "ice" would have been a little
confusing.
2
Simpler times? Maybe. And if you think your parents don't
understand -- or your teachers don't understand -- you may be
right.
But it's up to you to care enough to talk to them, and make
them understand what it is you're dealing with, every day.
Whether they want to or not. Whether you think they deserve it
or not.
[PICKS UP GLOVE] I used to play ball. Knew I'd never make
the big leagues -- but I made a lot of friends. Friends I
learned to count on -- on and off the field. Friends who showed
me what it's like to be counted on.
We trusted each other to come through -- no matter how tough
it got. And I learned from that. I learned that the kind of
people you surround yourself with can either give you strength --
or take it away.
Somehow, some people just make you find the best in
yourself. They can help make you a better person -- help you
discover more of who you are.
[PUTS DOWN GLOVE] But there are others, who may seem like
friends, who will offer you a one-way ticket to nowhere -- every
time they offer you drugs.
You're at a point in your life when the doors should all be
opening to you. And with each step, with a thousand small
decisions, you're shaping your future. It ought to be bright
with potential. But for some, who are letting drugs make their
decisions for them, you can almost hear the doors slamming shut.
3
We know that now. Attitudes that once encouraged or excused
drug use have changed.
Cocaine use has dropped by about a third among high school
seniors. Overall drug use is at the lowest levels in ten years.
We now understand that "casual" drug use is a myth.
But even if you don't use drugs, you ought to be angry about
them. Because you're being cheated by those who do.
Add it all up, and drug use costs this country well over $60
billion a year. If every student entering junior and senior high
school this fall had to pay that bill, it would cost each of you
more than $3000. Every year.
But of course, we're all paying for it. Every day. Every
time someone does drugs; or sells drugs; or even just looks the
other way, they're supporting an industry that costs more than
money. It costs lives. Because "casual" drug use is responsible
for the casualties of the drug war.
Each of you has a choice to make -- and dozens of chances to
make it. At a party, in a locker room, in the school parking
lot. And parents, preachers, politicians -- you know that none
of them make it for you. It's yours. I won't tell you how to
make it. But I will tell you what it means.
Every dollar that goes to drugs fuels the killing. As long
as there are Americans willing to buy drugs, there will be people
willing to sell drugs -- and people willing to kill as a cost of
doing business.
4
So even casual users -- dabblers in drugs -- have blood on
their hands. And unlike those of you entering school this fall,
those killed by the drug trade never get a second chance.
Drugs are an equal opportunity destroyer. They have no
conscience. They don't care where the money comes from. They
just murder people. Young and old, good and bad -- it doesn't
matter. For too many, drugs mean death.
[PICKS UP BADGE] I keep this badge in a drawer in my desk,
to remind me of that. It was worn by a young rookie cop named
Eddie Byrne. Twenty-two years old -- not much older than some of
you. He was out trying to stop the drug trade -- trying to
protect a witness, so that a dealer could be brought to justice.
Eddie Byrne had three brothers. A girlfriend he'd known for
four years. He loved football -- was a running back at Plain
Edge High School. He had a lot of friends in his neighborhood.
But in the early hours of a cold February morning, sitting in a
cruiser, Eddie Byrne was blown away at point-blank range.
To me this badge is a constant reminder -- that the killing
must and will stop. It's a promise, that Eddie Byrne's life was
not given in vain. That the slavery of drugs must end -- and
will end. [PUTS BADGE DOWN.]
From where you're sitting right now -- in school -- you're
in a position to begin to make your dreams come true. But out on
the streets, a nightmare for America is happening, right now.
Somewhere a teenage girl who ought to be in school is giving
birth to a baby already addicted to cocaine. That baby is coming
5
into this world shaking and twitching from withdrawal -- so
sensitive to the touch that it can't be held or fed properly.
[PICKS UP VIAL] How can something so small cause so much
pain? How can it force brothers to kill brothers, mothers to
abandon children? And behind all of the senseless violence, the
needless tragedy, what haunts me is the question -- why?
[PUTS DOWN VIAL] I have one answer. Drugs are still a
problem, because too many of us are still looking the other way.
And that's why I wanted to talk to you today.
I'm asking you not to look the other way. Maybe you're in
trouble -- or on the edge of trouble. Maybe you know someone who
is.
You know -- all of you know -- who's got a problem. Today
I'm not just asking you to get help. I'm asking you to find
someone who needs help. And help them. If you're not in
trouble, seek out someone who is.
We all need to succeed. And I'll let you in on a secret:
we all can succeed. Maybe you've heard Michael Jordan say "If
you don't use drugs, you can just about be anything you want to
be. You've got at least 3/4 of your life to go. That's three
more lifetimes to you. So don't blow it."
Saying "no" won't make you a nerd. It won't make you a
geek. It won't make you a loser, or a dweeb
It will only show
strength. And it will make you more friends than drugs ever
will.
6
I think of Gary -- a very street-tough drug user from
Denver, who was part of a panel answering questions from students
about drugs. In the middle of the session, Gary broke down and
cried, saying that he did drugs because no one who wasn't doing
drugs would like him. When the students in the audience were
asked who would be Gary's friend, there was a sea of hands all
around the room.
You are in control of your life. With knowledge and
education, you will succeed. You can not be denied.
If you're thinking about dropping out, think again. If you
know somebody who's thinking about dropping out, talk to them
about it. If you have friends who have already dropped out, find
them. Talk to them. Find a way to bring them back.
How can such a small step make any difference? Well, last
winter, after I was sworn in as President, I said that any
definition of a successful life must include serving others. And
I think we all sense that.
A friend of mine tells a story about a young boy and an old
man who were walking along a beach. As the boy walked along the
beach he picked up each starfish he passed, and threw it into the
sea. The old man asked him why.
"If I left them here," the boy said, "they would dry up in
the sun and die. I'm saving their lives."
"But the beach goes on for miles and their are millions of
starfish," the old man said. "How can what you're doing make any
difference?"
7
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, threw it into
the ocean, and answered, "It makes a difference to this one."
You're here to make a difference -- for yourself, and those
around you. So learn to count on each other. Take care of each
other. Give someone else another chance. And make the days mean
something.
I've got a lot of faith in you. But even more important,
maybe you've got younger brothers or sisters -- they're looking
up to you. And your future -- well, that's completely up to you.
Make it a good one.
Have a good year. And God bless you.
# # #
FROM Bobbie KiLbeRG
Thisisa moving speech my
KIDS L,Kco IT
(Lange/Blessey)
Bobbic
September 7, 1989
3:20 p.m.
89 SEP 7 P3:45 P3: 45
[SCHOOLS.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
[LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW] Somehow the fall always feels like
a time to start over. It's a time full of possibility. Everyone
gets a. new chance. Expect at aRengh.
and hopes
[TO CAMERA] You know, Presidents don't talk directly to
students very often. But what's been on my mind lately is very
important. You may have heard my address to the nation last
week. But I wanted this message to go straight to you.
[LEANS ON EDGE OF DESK] When I was thinking about what I
wanted to say to you today about drugs, I tried to put myself in
your place. To look at it from your perspective. But you know,
the harder I tried, the harder it got.
You live in complicated times. You deal with pressures that
people like me -- people like your mom or dad -- never had to
face.
Some say my generation came of age in a simpler time. A
goop!
time when doing lines meant reciting poems. When Coke only came
in bottles. Rock only came on the radio. Hash only came in
cans. And the idea of smoking "ice" would have been a little
confusing.
2
Simpler times? Maybe. And if you think your parents don't
understand -- or your teachers don't understand -- you may be
right.
But it's up to you to care enough to talk to them,
because they because They
to
really UNDerstand
NeeD
them understand what it is you're dealing with, every day.
Whether they want to or not. Whether you think they deserve it
or not.
[PICKS UP GLOVE] I used to play ball. Knew I'd never make
the big leagues -- but I made a lot of friends. Friends I
learned to count on -- on and off the field. Friends who showed
me what it's like to be counted on.
We trusted each other to come through -- no matter how tough
it got. And I learned from that. I learned that the kind of
people you surround yourself with can either give you strength --
or take it away, they Can help you arthey Can hurt you
Somehow, some people just make you find the best in
yourself. They can help make you a better person -- help you
discover more of who you are.
[PUTS DOWN GLOVE] But there are others, who may seem like
friends, who will offer you a one-way ticket to nowhere -- every
time they offer you drugs.
You're at a point in your life when the doors should all be
opening to you. And with each step, with a thousand small
decisions, you're shaping your future. It ought to be bright
with potential. But for some, who are letting drugs make their
decisions for them, you can almost hear the doors slamming shut.
clear my Son, as towhat agol4 casual" use Meani
3
We know that now
Attitudes that once encouraged or excused
drug use have changed.
Cocaine use has dropped by about a third among high school
seniors. Overall drug use is at the lowest levels in ten years.
use We now it's understand aLL the that Same. casual" drug use is a myth. DRUguse isdrug
But even if you don't use drugs, you ought to be angry about
them. Because you're being cheated by those who do.
Add it all up, and drug use costs this country well over $60
billion a year. If every student entering junior and senior high
school this fall had to pay that bill, it would cost each of you
more than $3000. Every year.
But of course, we're all paying for it. Every day. Every
time someone does drugs; or sells drugs; or even just looks the
other way, they're supporting an industry that costs more than
money. It costs lives. Because "casual" drug use is responsible
for the casualties of the drug war.
Each of you has a choice to make -- and dozens of chances to
make it. At a party, in a locker room, in the school parking
lot. And parents, preachers, politicians -- you know that none
YOUR decision.
of them make it for you. It's yours! I won't tell you how to
make it. But I will tell you what it means.
Every dollar that goes to drugs fuels the killing. As long
as there are Americans willing to buy drugs, there will be people
willing to sell drugs -- and people willing to kill as a cost of
doing business.
4
So even casual users -- dabblers in drugs -- have blood on
their hands. And unlike those of you entering school this fall,
those killed by the drug trade never get a second chance.
Drugs are an equal opportunity destroyer. They have no
conscience. They don't care where the money comes from. They
just murder people. Young and old, good and bad -- it doesn't
matter. For too many, drugs mean death.
[PICKS UP BADGE] I keep this badge in a drawer in my desk,
to remind me of that. It was worn by a young rookie cop named
Eddie Byrne. Twenty-two years old -- not much older than some of
you. He was out trying to stop the drug trade -- trying to
protect a witness, so that a dealer could be brought to justice.
Eddie Byrne had three brothers. A girlfriend he'd known for
four years. He loved football -- was a running back at Plain
A lot of hope and on promising future aheal
Edge High School. He had a lot of friends in his neighborhood.
But in the early hours of a cold February morning, sitting in a
cruiser, Eddie Byrne was blown away at point-blank range.
To me this badge is a constant reminder -- that the killing
must and will stop. It's a promise, that Eddie Byrne's life was
not given in vain. That the slavery of drugs must end -- and
will end. [PUTS BADGE DOWN.]
From where you're sitting right now -- in school -- you're
in a position to begin to make your dreams come true. But out on
the streets, a nightmare for America is happening, right now.
Somewhere a teenage girl who ought to be in school is giving
birth to a baby already addicted to cocaine. That baby is coming
5
into this world shaking and twitching from withdrawal -- so
sensitive to the touch that it can't be held or fed properly.
[PICKS UP VIAL] How can something so small cause so much
pain? How can it force brothers to kill brothers, mothers to
abandon children? And behind all of the senseless violence, the
needless tragedy, what haunts me is the question -- why?
[PUTS DOWN VIAL] I have one answer. Drugs are still a
problem, because too many of us are still looking the other way.
And that's why I wanted to talk to you today.
I'm asking you not to look the other way. Maybe you're in
trouble -- or on the edge of trouble. Maybe you know someone who
is.
You know -- all of you know -- who's got a problem. Today
I'm not just asking you to get help. I'm asking you to find
someone who needs help. And help them. If you're not in
trouble, seek out someone who is.
We all need to succeed. And I'll let you in on a secret:
we all can succeed. Maybe you've heard Michael Jordan say "If
you don't use drugs, you can just about be anything you want to
be. You've got at least 3/4 of your life to go. That's three
more lifetimes to you. So don't blow it."
good
Saying "no" won't make you a nerd. It won't make you a
geek. It won't make you a loser, or a dweeb
It will only show
strength. And it will make you more friends than drugs ever
will.
6
I think of Gary -- a very street-tough drug user from
Denver, who was part of a panel answering questions from students
about drugs. In the middle of the session, Gary broke down and
cried, saying that he did drugs because no one who wasn't doing
drugs would like him. When the students in the audience were
asked who would be Gary's friend, there was a sea of hands all
around the room.
You are in control of your life. With knowledge and
education, you will succeed. You can not be denied.
If you're thinking about dropping out, think again. If you
know somebody who's thinking about dropping out, talk to them
about it. If you have friends who have already dropped out, find
them. Talk to them. Find a way to bring them back.
How can such a small step make any difference? Well, last
winter, after I was sworn in as President, I said that any
definition of a successful life must include serving others. And
I think we all sense that.
A friend of mine tells a story about a young boy and an old
man who were walking along a beach. As the boy walked along the
beach he picked up each starfish he passed, and threw it into the
sea. The old man asked him why.
GRUST!
"If I left them here," " the boy said, "they would dry up in
the sun and die. I'm saving their lives.'
there
"But the beach goes on for miles and their are millions of
starfish," the old man said. "How can what you're doing make any
difference?"
7
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, threw it into
the ocean, and answered, "It makes a difference to this one."
You're here to make a difference -- for yourself, and those
around you. So learn to count on each other. Take care of each
other. Give someone else another chance. And make the days mean
something.
I've got a lot of faith in you. But even more important,
maybe you've got younger brothers or sisters -- they're looking
up to you. And your future -- well, that's completely up to you.
Make it a good one.
Have a good year. And God bless you.
###
TaRRific
maRK,
Somewhere IN here Potus may WGT To
acKnowLeoGy That he's preaching at. Thema Little~but must
for a Teason ~ because the suffering
stop LND Their futures must be protected.
REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
SOMEHOW THE FALL ALWAYS FEELS LIKE A TIME TO START
OVER. IT'S A TIME FULL OF POSSIBILITY. EVERYONE GETS
A NEW CHANCE.
NOW, I KNOW THERE ARE AMERICANS OF EVERY AGE
WATCHING. BUT PRESIDENTS DON'T TALK DIRECTLY TO
STUDENTS VERY OFTEN. AND WHAT'S BEEN ON MY MIND LATELY
IS VERY IMPORTANT. so FOR EACH OF YOU SITTING IN A
CLASSROOM OR ASSEMBLY HALL... THIS MESSAGE GOES
STRAIGHT TO YOU.
WHEN I WAS THINKING ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO
YOU TODAY ABOUT DRUGS, I TRIED TO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR
PLACE. TO LOOK AT IT FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE. BUT YOU
KNOW, THE HARDER I TRIED, THE HARDER IT GOT.
- 2 -
IT MAY SEEM TO YOU THAT YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR
TEACHERS GREW UP IN SIMPLER TIMES. BUT MOST OF THEM
LIVED THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLES. SOME OF YOUR
FATHERS FOUGHT IN VIETNAM. AND FOR MANY OF YOU, YOUR
PARENTS AND TEACHERS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO FACE
DRUGS.
\/\/
IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO TALK TO THEM, YOU MIGHT BE
SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH THEY DO UNDERSTAND. 11
[PICKS UP BASEBALL] I USED TO PLAY BASEBALL.
KNEW I'D NEVER MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES -- BUT I MADE A LOT
OF FRIENDS. FRIENDS I LEARNED TO COUNT ON -- BOTH ON
AND OFF THE FIELD.
WE TRUSTED EACH OTHER TO COME THROUGH -- NO MATTER
HOW TOUGH IT GOT. AND I LEARNED FROM THAT. I LEARNED
THAT THE KIND OF PEOPLE YOU MAKE YOUR FRIENDS CAN
EITHER GIVE YOU STRENGTH -- OR TAKE IT AWAY.
- 3 -
I'M NOT SURE WHY IT IS, BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST MAKE
YOU FIND THE BEST IN YOURSELF. THEY CAN HELP YOU
BECOME A BETTER PERSON -- HELP YOU DISCOVER MORE OF WHO
YOU ARE.
[PUTS DOWN BASEBALL] THERE ARE OTHERS, WHO MAY
SEEM LIKE FRIENDS, BUT THEY'RE NOT -- AND THEY PROVE IT
-- EVERY TIME THEY OFFER YOU DRUGS. 11
EVERYDAY, WITH A THOUSAND SMALL DECISIONS YOU
MAKE, YOU'RE SHAPING YOUR FUTURE. IT'S A FUTURE THAT
OUGHT TO BE BRIGHT WITH POTENTIAL. AND MOST OF YOU
ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. 11 BUT FOR THOSE WHO LET
DRUGS MAKE THEIR DECISIONS FOR THEM, YOU CAN ALMOST
HEAR THE DOORS SLAMMING SHUT.
IT ISN'T WORTH IT. WE KNOW THAT NOW. ATTITUDES
THAT ONCE ENCOURAGED OR EXCUSED DRUG USE HAVE CHANGED.
COCAINE USE HAS DROPPED BY ABOUT A FIFTH AMONG HIGH
SCHOOL SENIORS. OVERALL DRUG USE IS AT THE LOWEST
LEVELS IN TEN YEARS.
- 4 -
BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS, YOU OUGHT TO BE
ANGRY ABOUT THEM. BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING CHEATED 11 BY
THOSE WHO DO.
ADD IT ALL UP: DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE COSTS THIS
COUNTRY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS A YEAR AND I DON'T KNOW HOW
TO QUANTIFY THE HUMAN SUFFERING DRUGS CAUSE, BUT I DO
KNOW WE'RE ALL PAYING FOR IT. WE'RE ALL FEELING IT.
EVERY DAY.
EVERY TIME SOMEONE DOES DRUGS; OR SELLS DRUGS; OR
EVEN "JUST LOOKS THE OTHER WAY," THEY'RE SUPPORTING AN
INDUSTRY THAT COSTS MORE THAN MONEY. IT COSTS LIVES.
EACH OF YOU HAS A DECISION TO MAKE -- AND DOZENS
OF CHANCES TO MAKE IT: AT A PARTY, ON THE STREET, IN
THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT. /\/\ AND PARENTS, TEACHERS,
COACHES, POLITICIANS, PRESIDENTS -- NO ONE ELSE MAKES
THAT DECISION FOR YOU. 11 BUT IF YOU TALK TO SOMEONE
YOU TRUST, THEY MAY REMIND YOU OF WHAT'S AT STAKE.
- 5 -
YES, IT'S YOUR DECISION. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO
MAKE IT. BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS. /\/\ YOU
ALL WATCH TV. YOU SEE THE NEWS -- THE CRIME -- THE
DEVASTATION.
EVERY DOLLAR THAT GOES TO DRUGS FUELS THE
KILLING. 11 AS LONG AS THERE ARE AMERICANS WILLING TO
BUY DRUGS, THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WILLING TO SELL DRUGS -
- AND PEOPLE WILLING TO KILL AS A COST OF DOING
BUSINESS. THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUPPLIERS
AND EVEN "OCCASIONAL". OR "WEEKEND" USERS THAT CAN NEVER
BE FORGOTTEN.
CASUAL DRUG USE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CASUALTIES OF
THE DRUG WAR. FROM THE CITY STREETS OF AMERICA TO THE
STREET BOMBINGS OF COLOMBIA, EVEN DABBLERS IN DRUGS
BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BLOOD BEING SPILLED. AND
UNLIKE THOSE OF YOU IN SCHOOL THIS FALL, THOSE KILLED
BY THE DRUG TRADE NEVER DO GET A SECOND CHANCE.
led
- 6 -
DRUGS ARE RIGHTLY CALLED AN "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
DESTROYER." THEY HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. THEY DON'T CARE
WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. THEY JUST MURDER PEOPLE.
YOUNG AND OLD, GOOD AND BAD, INNOCENT AND GUILTY -- IT
DOESN'T MATTER. FOR TOO MANY, DRUGS MEAN DEATH. 111
[PICKS UP BADGE] I KEEP THIS BADGE IN A DRAWER IN
MY DESK, TO REMIND ME OF THAT. IT WAS WORN BY A YOUNG
ROOKIE COP NAMED EDDIE BYRNE. TWENTY-TWO YEARS OLD --
NOT MUCH OLDER THAN SOME OF YOU. HE WAS OUT TRYING TO
STOP THE DRUG TRADE -- PROTECTING A WITNESS, so THAT A
DEALER COULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
EDDIE BYRNE HAD THREE BROTHERS. A GIRLFRIEND HE'D
KNOWN FOR FOUR YEARS. HE LOVED FISHING AND FOOTBALL --
WAS A RUNNING BACK AT PLAIN EDGE HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW
YORK. HE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND EDDIE BYRNE HAD DREAMS.
BUT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING,
SITTING IN A POLICE CRUISER, EDDIE BYRNE WAS BLOWN AWAY
AT POINT-BLANK RANGE -- KILLED ON THE ORDERS OF A DRUG
KINGPIN. COLD AND CALCULATED.
- 7 -
I'VE HEARD SOME SAY, "IF YOU DO DRUGS NOW AND
THEN, YOU'RE NOT HURTING ANYBODY. IT'S NO BIG DEAL."
WELL, THE NEXT TIME YOU THINK ABOUT USING DRUGS, I WANT
YOU TO THINK OF EDDIE BYRNE -- AND I WANT YOU TO THINK
ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT LOST HIM.
TO ME THIS BADGE IS A CONSTANT REMINDER -- THAT
EDDIE BYRNE'S LIFE WAS NOT GIVEN IN VAIN. THIS IS A
PROMISE: THE KILLING MUST AND WILL STOP. [PUTS BADGE
DOWN]
WHERE YOU'RE SITTING RIGHT NOW -- IN SCHOOL -- I
KNOW YOU'VE GOT YOUR DREAMS. EVERYONE DOES. BUT OUT
ON THE STREETS, A NIGHTMARE FOR AMERICA IS HAPPENING,
EVERY DAY. EVERY NIGHT.
SOMEWHERE A TEENAGE GIRL WHO OUGHT TO BE IN SCHOOL
IS GIVING BIRTH TO A BABY ALREADY ADDICTED TO COCAINE.
THAT BABY IS COMING INTO THIS WORLD SHAKING AND
TWITCHING FROM WITHDRAWAL -- SO SENSITIVE TO THE TOUCH
THAT IT CAN'T BE HELD OR FED PROPERLY.
- 8 -
rhymes
HOW CAN COCAINE CAUSE so MUCH PAIN? HOW CAN IT
FORCE BROTHERS TO KILL BROTHERS, MOTHERS TO ABANDON
their own
CHILDREN? AND BEHIND ALL OF THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE,
THE NEEDLESS TRAGEDY, WHAT HAUNTS ME IS THE QUESTION --
WHY?
I HAVE ONE ANSWER. DRUGS ARE STILL A PROBLEM,
BECAUSE TOO MANY OF US ARE STILL LOOKING THE OTHER WAY.
AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU TODAY.
I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY. MAYBE
YOU'RE IN TROUBLE -- OR ON THE EDGE OF TROUBLE. MAYBE
YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS. MAYBE YOU'VE GOT YOUNGER
BROTHERS OR SISTERS -- YOU KNOW THEY'RE LOOKING UP TO
YOU. DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE -- OR THEIRS.
sminds insincere
AND IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH THE KIND OF PROBLEM
THAT CAN TRULY BE THE TOUGHEST -- IF YOU HAVE PARENTS
WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL -- FIND SOMEONE
YOU CAN TRUST.
TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.
ponsie
- 9 -
YOU KNOW ALL OF YOU IN A CLASSROOM KNOW --
WHO'S GOT A PROBLEM. TODAY I'M NOT JUST ASKING YOU TO
GET HELP. I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND SOMEONE WHO NEEDS
underline
YOU. AND OFFER TO HELP. I'LL SAY IT AGAIN: IF YOU'RE
NOT IN TROUBLE, HELP SOMEONE WHO IS.
WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED. AND I'LL LET YOU IN ON A
almos
SECRET: WE ALL CAN SUCCEED. IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS,
drug
YOU CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE. MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD
quote
MICHAEL JORDAN SAY "YOU'VE GOT AT LEAST 3/4 OF YOUR
LIFE TO GO. THAT'S THREE MORE LIFETIMES TO YOU. so
DON'T BLOW IT." 11
SAYING "NO" WON'T MAKE YOU A NERD. IT WON'T MAKE
YOU A LOSER. IN FACT, IT WILL MAKE YOU MORE FRIENDS
THAN DRUGS EVER WILL. REAL FRIENDS.
BUT IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH REASON, THERE'S ANOTHER
SIDE: USING ILLEGAL DRUGS IS AGAINST THE LAW. 11 AND
IF YOU BREAK THE LAW, YOU PAY THE PRICE. 11 BECAUSE
THE RULES HAVE CHANGED.
- 10 -
IF YOU DO DRUGS, YOU WILL BE CAUGHT. AND WHEN
YOU'RE CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. YOU MIGHT LOSE.
YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE -- SOME STATES HAVE STARTED
REVOKING USERS' DRIVING PRIVILEGES. OR YOU MIGHT LOSE
THE COLLEGE LOAN YOU WANTED -- BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
HELPING THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW. THESE ARE PRIVILEGES,
NOT RIGHTS. IF YOU RISK DOING DRUGS, YOU RISK
EVERYTHING -- EVEN YOUR FREEDOM. BECAUSE YOU WILL BE
PUNISHED. 11
NOW, I CAN IMAGINE A FEW WHISPERS OUT THERE --
MAYBE YOU THINK WE'LL NEVER GET DRUGS UNDER CONTROL --
THAT IT'S TOO EASY FOR THE DEALERS TO GET BACK ON THE
STREET. WELL, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER, TOO. THE REVOLVING
DOOR... JUST JAMMED.
SOME THINK THERE WON'T BE ROOM FOR THEM IN JAIL.
WE'LL MAKE ROOM..
WE'RE ALMOST DOUBLING PRISON SPACE.
China
SOME THINK THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PROSECUTORS. WE'LL HIRE
THEM... WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FEDERAL
PROSECUTORS IN HISTORY. THE DAY OF THE DEALER IS
DRAWING TO A CLOSE. [PAUSE]
- 11 -
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE -- OR HOW STRONG YOU ARE --
DRUGS TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. BUT WITHOUT DRUGS,
YOU'RE IN CONTROL. YOU CAN DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE. AND
THAT MEANS STAYING IN SCHOOL.
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DROPPING OUT, THINK IT
THROUGH. MAYBE YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO QUIT
SCHOOL. TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVE FRIENDS
WHO HAVE ALREADY DROPPED OUT, TALK TO THEM. FIND A WAY
TO BRING THEM BACK. ///
TODAY I'VE ASKED YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TERRIBLE
COST DRUGS ARE MAKING US ALL PAY, EVERY DAY. BUT EVEN
MORE IMPORTANT, I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU
CAN DO, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
LAST WINTER, AFTER I WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT, I
SAID THAT FROM NOW ON IN AMERICA, ANY DEFINITION OF A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS. HELPING
OTHERS. AND I HOPE YOU ALL BELIEVE THAT.
- 12 -
THERE'S A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY AND AN OLD MAN
WHO WERE WALKING ALONG A BEACH. AND AS THEY WALKED)
ALONG THE BEACH THE BOY PICKED UP EACH STARFISH HE
PASSED, AND THREW IT INTO THE SEA. THE OLD MAN ASKED
HIM WHY.
"IF I LEFT THEM HERE," THE BOY SAID, "THEY WOULD
DRY UP IN THE SUN AND DIE. I'M SAVING THEIR LIVES."
THE OLD MAN SAID, "BUT THE BEACH GOES ON FOR MILES
AND THERE ARE MILLIONS OF STARFISH. HOW CAN WHAT
YOU'RE DOING MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?"
THE BOY LOOKED AT THE STARFISH IN HIS HAND, THREW
IT INTO THE OCEAN, AND ANSWERED, "IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
TO THIS ONE." [PAUSE]
- 13 -
\/\/
YOU'RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE -- FOR YOURSELF,
AND THOSE AROUND YOU. so LEARN TO COUNT ON EACH OTHER.
TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. GIVE SOMEONE ELSE ANOTHER
CHANCE.
AND MAKE THE DAYS MEAN SOMETHING.
HAVE A GOOD YEAR. AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
11:39
REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
71.07
SOMEHOW THE FALL ALWAYS FEELS LIKE A TIME TO START
OVER. IT'S A TIME FULL OF POSSIBILITY. EVERYONE GETS
A NEW CHANCE.
NOW, I KNOW THERE ARE AMERICANS OF EVERY AGE
WATCHING. BUT PRESIDENTS DON'T TALK DIRECTLY TO
STUDENTS VERY OFTEN. AND WHAT'S BEEN ON MY MIND LATELY
IS VERY IMPORTANT. so FOR EACH OF YOU SITTING IN A
del bold
CLASSROOM OR ASSEMBLY HALL...
THIS MESSAGE GOES
STRAIGHT TO YOU.
ALLEANS BACK,
ON
of
DESK]
WHEN I WAS THINKING
ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO YOU TODAY ABOUT DRUGS, I
TRIED TO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR PLACE. TO LOOK AT IT FROM
YOUR PERSPECTIVE. BUT YOU KNOW, THE HARDER I TRIED,
THE HARDER IT GOT.
YOU LIVE IN COMPLICATED TIMES. YOU DEAL WITH
PRESSURES THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME -- PEOPLE LIKE YOUR MOM
OR DAD -- NEVER HAD TO FACE.
gratuitove
gratuitous
- 2 -
IT MAY SEEM TO YOU THAT YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR
TEACHERS GREW UP IN SIMPLER TIMES. BUT MOST OF THEM
LIVED THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLES. SOME OF YOUR
FATHERS FOUGHT IN VIETNAM. AND FOR MANY OF YOU, YOUR
PARENTS AND TEACHERS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO FACE
DRUGS.
yv
IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO TALK TO THEM, YOU MIGHT BE
SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH THEY G DO UNDERSTAND.
BASE
[PICKS UP BASEBALL] I USED TO PLAY BALL. KNEW
I'D NEVER MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES -- BUT I MADE A LOT OF
FRIENDS. FRIENDS I LEARNED TO COUNT ON - - BOTH ON AND
OFF THE FIELD.
WE TRUSTED EACH OTHER TO COME THROUGH . -- NO MATTER
HOW TOUGH IT GOT. AND I LEARNED FROM THAT. I LEARNED
THAT THE KIND OF PEOPLE YOU MAKE YOUR FRIENDS CAN
EITHER GIVE YOU of STRENGTH - -- OR TAKE IT AWAY.
- 3 -
I'M NOT SURE WHY IT IS, BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST MAKE
YOU FIND THE BEST IN YOURSELF. THEY CAN HELP
We
YOU
BECOME
A BETTER PERSON -- HELP YOU DISCOVER MORE OF WHO YOU
ARE.
[PUTS DOWN BASEBALL] THERE ARE OTHERS, WHO MAY
SEEM LIKE FRIENDS, BUT THEY'RE NOT -- AND THEY PROVE IT
-- EVERY TIME THEY OFFER YOU DRUGS. 111
WITH A THOUSAND SMALL DECISIONS MAKE EVERY
DAY, YOU'RE SHAPING YOUR FUTURE. IT'S A FUTURE THAT
OUGHT TO BE BRIGHT WITH Q POTENTIAL. AND MOST OF YOU ARE
DOING THE RIGHT THING BUT FOR THOSE WHO LET DRUGS
MAKE THEIR DECISIONS FOR THEM, YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR THE
vv
DOORS SLAMMING SHUT.
IT ISN'T WORTH IT. WE KNOW THAT NOW. ATTITUDES
THAT ONCE. ENCOURAGED OR EXCUSED DRUG USE HAVE CHANGED.
COCAINE USE HAS DROPPED BY ABOUT A FIFTH AMONG HIGH
SCHOOL SENIORS. OVERALL DRUG USE IS AT THE LOWEST
LEVELS IN TEN YEARS.
- 4 -
BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS, YOU OUGHT TO BE
ANGRY ABOUT THEM. BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING CHEATED BY
THOSE WHO DO.
ADD IT ALL UP: AND DRUG USE COST THIS COUNTRY
AUS ALCOHOL AB-
s OF DOLLARS.
WELL OVER $60 BILLION A YEAR -- IN CASH AND I DON'T
KNOW HOW TO QUANTIFY THE HUMAN SUFFERING DRUGS CAUSE,
BUT I DO KNOW WE'RE ALL PAYING FOR IT. WE'RE ALL
FEELING IT. EVERY DAY.
EVERY TIME SOMEONE DOES DRUGS; OR SELLS DRUGS; OR
EVEN "JUST LOOKS THE OTHER WAY, THEY'RE SUPPORTING AN
INDUSTRY THAT COSTS MORE THAN MONEY. IT COSTS LIVES.
EACH OF YOU HAS A DECISION TO MAKE -- AND DOZENS
OF CHANCES TO MAKE IT: AT A PARTY, ON THE STREET, IN
THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, TOO OFTEN WHEN ALCOHOL IS
PART OF THE PROBLEM. MAND PARENTS, TEACHERS, COACHES,
POLITICIANS, PRESIDENTS -- NO ONE ELSE MAKES THAT
DECISION FOR YOU HI BUT IF YOU TALK TO SOMEONE YOU
TRUST, THEY MAY REMIND YOU OF WHAT'S AT STAKE.
- 5 -
YES, IT'S YOUR DECISION. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO
MAKE IT. BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS In YOU ALL
WATCH TV. YOU SEE THE NEWS -- THE CRIME -- THE
DEVASTATION.
EVERY DOLLAR THAT GOES TO DRUGS FUELS THE KILLING.
AS LONG AS THERE ARE AMERICANS WILLING TO BUY DRUGS,
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WILLING TO SELL DRUGS -- AND
PEOPLE WILLING TO KILL AS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUPPLIERS AND EVEN
"OCCASIONAL" OR "WEEKEND" USERS THAT CAN NEVER BE
FORGOTTEN.
CASUAL DRUG USE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CASUALTIES
OF THE DRUG WAR. FROM THE CITY STREETS OF AMERICA TO
THE STREET BOMBINGS OF COLOMBIA, EVEN DABBLERS IN DRUGS
BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BLOOD BEING SPILLED. AND
UNLIKE THOSE OF YOU IN SCHOOL THIS FALL, THOSE KILLED
BY THE DRUG TRADE NEVER GET A SECOND CHANCE.
20
RIGHTLY CALLED - 6 -
DRUGS ARE/AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DESTROYER." THEY
HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. THEY DON'T CARE WHERE THE MONEY
COMES FROM. THEY JUST MURDER PEOPLE. YOUNG AND OLD,
GOOD AND BAD, INNOCENT AND GUILTY -- IT DOESN'T MATTER.
FOR TOO MANY, DRUGS MEAN DEATH. PAUSE
They
[PICKS UP BADGE] I KEEP THIS BADGE IN A DRAWER IN
MY DESK, TO REMIND ME OF THAT. IT WAS WORN BY A YOUNG
ROOKIE COP NAMED EDDIE BYRNE. TWENTY-TWO YEARS OLD --
NOT MUCH OLDER THAN SOME OF YOU. HE WAS OUT TRYING TO
an
STOP THE DRUG TRADE -- PROTECTING A WITNESS, SO THAT A
DEALER COULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
EDDIE BYRNE HAD THREE BROTHERS. A GIRLFRIEND HE'D
KNOWN FOR FOUR YEARS. HE LOVED FISHING AND FOOTBALL --
WAS A RUNNING BACK AT PLAIN EDGE HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW
Joeh
YORK.
HE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND EDDIE BYRNE HAD DREAMS.
BUT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING,
SITTING IN A POLICE CRUISER, EDDIE BYRNE WAS BLOWN AWAY
WHED
AT POINT-BLANK RANGE A BY FOUR YOUNG DEALERS, ON THE
ORDERS OF A DRUG KINGPIN. COLD AND CALCULATED.
- 7 -
I'VE HEARD SOME SAY, "IF YOU DO DRUGS NOW AND
THEN, YOU'RE NOT HURTING ANYBODY. IT'S NO BIG DEAL."
WELL, THE NEXT TIME YOU THINK ABOUT USING DRUGS, I WANT
YOU TO THINK OF EDDIE BYRNE -- AND I WANT YOU TO THINK
ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT LOST HIM.
TO ME THIS BADGE IS A CONSTANT REMINDER --
THAT
THE KILLING MUST AND WILL STOP. THIS IS A PROMISE:
EDDIE BYRNE'S LIFE WAS NOT GIVEN IN VAIN.
[PUTS BADGE
DOWN.]
WHERE YOU'RE SITTING RIGHT NOW -- -- IN SCHOOL -- I
KNOW YOU'VE GOT YOUR DREAMS. EVERYONE DOES. BUT OUT
ON THE STREETS, A NIGHTMARE FOR AMERICA IS HAPPENING,
EVERY DAY. EVERY NIGHT.
SOMEWHERE A TEENAGE GIRL WHO OUGHT TO BE IN SCHOOL
IS GIVING BIRTH TO A BABY ALREADY ADDICTED TO COCAINE.
THAT BABY IS COMING INTO THIS WORLD SHAKING AND
TWITCHING FROM WITHDRAWAL -- SO SENSITIVE TO THE TOUCH
THAT IT CAN'T BE HELD OR FED PROPERLY.
Cocaine and Back are deadly, badly drays.
this little
AND This CAUSES
packet of come
- 8
How can Homeood
[PICKS UP VIAL] HOW CAN LEAD SOMETHING so SMALL CAUSE mush
SO MUCH PAIN? HOW CAN IT PORCE BROTHERS TO KILL
BROTHERS, MOTHERS TO ABANDON CHILDREN? AND BEHIND ALL
How
OF THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE, THE NEEDLESS TRAGEDY, WHAT
can
cocaine
HAUNTS ME IS THE QUESTION -- WHY?
cause so
much pair?
How can it
[PUTS DOWN VIAL] I HAVE ONE ANSWER. DRUGS ARE
make
brothers
STILL A PROBLEM, BECAUSE TOO MANY OF US ARE STILL
kill brothes
mothers
LOOKING THE OTHER WAY. AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO TALK
abandon
TO YOU TODAY.
children?
I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY. MAYBE
YOU'RE IN TROUBLE -- OR ON THE EDGE OF TROUBLE. MAYBE
YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS. MAYBE YOU'VE GOT YOUNGER
BROTHERS OR SISTERS -- YOU KNOW THEY'RE LOOKING UP TO
YOU. DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE -- OR THEIRS.
AND IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH THE KIND OF PROBLEM
THAT CAN TRULY BE THE TOUGHEST -- IF YOU HAVE PARENTS
WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL -- FIND SOMEONE
YOU CAN TRUST. TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.
- 9 -
BOLD
you KNOW -- ALL OF YOU IN A CLASSROOM KNOW --
WHO'S GOT A PROBLEM. TODAY I'M NOT JUST ASKING YOU TO
SUPER WHO NEW
GET HELP. I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND SOMEONE WHO NEEDS
OFFERTO FIMER
SPET
YOU. AND HELP, THEM I'LL SAY IT AGAIN: IF YOU'RE NOT
A
IN TROUBLE, SEEK OUT SOMEONE WHO IS.
WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED. AND I'LL LET YOU IN ON A
SECRET: WE ALL CAN SUCCEED. V MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD
MICHAEL JORDAN SAY IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS, YOU CAN
JUST ABOUT BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE. YOU'VE GOT AT
LEAST 3/4 OF YOUR LIFE TO GO. THAT'S THREE MORE
LIFETIMES TO YOU. so DON'T BLOW IT." HHI
SAYING "NO" WON'T MAKE YOU A NERD. IT WON'T MAKE
YOU A LOSER. IN FACT, IT WILL MAKE YOU MORE FRIENDS
THAN DRUGS EVER WILL. REAL FRIENDS.
BUT IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH REASON, THERE'S ANOTHER
SIDE: USING ILLEGAL DRUGS IS AGAINST THE LAW /// AND IF
YOU BREAK THE LAW, YOU PAY THE PRICE. BECAUSE THE
RULES HAVE CHANGED.
- 10 -
IF YOU DO DRUGS, YOU WILL BE CAUGHT. AND WHEN
YOU'RE CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. YOU MIGHT LOSE
YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE -- SOME STATES HAVE STARTED
REVOKING USERS' DRIVING PRIVILEGES. OR YOU MIGHT LOSE
THE COLLEGE LOAN YOU WANTED -- BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
HELPING THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW. THESE ARE PRIVILEGES,
&
NOT RIGHTS. IF YOU RISK DOING DRUGS, YOU RISK
EVERYTHING -- EVEN YOUR FREEDOM. BECAUSE YOU WILL BE
PUNISHED.
NOW, I CAN IMAGINE A FEW WHISPERS OUT THERE --
MAYBE YOU THINK WE'LL NEVER GET DRUGS UNDER CONTROL --
THAT IT'S TOO EASY FOR THE DEALERS TO GET BACK ON THE
WELL,
STREET.
THOSE DAYS ARE OVER, TOO. THE REVOLVING
DOOR... JUST JAMMED.
SOME
THINK THERE WON'T BE ROOM FOR THEM IN JAIL?
WE'LL MAKE ROOM.
WE'RE ALMOST DOUBLING PRISON SPACE.
SOME YOU THINK THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PROSECUTORS? WE'LL HIRE
THEM
WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FEDERAL
PROSECUTORS IN HISTORY. THE DAY OF THE DEALER IS
DRAWING TO A CLOSE. [PAUSE] ///
- 11 -
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE -- OR HOW STRONG YOU ARE --
DRUGS TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. BUT WITHOUT DRUGS,
YOU ARE IN CONTROL. YOU CAN DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE.
AND THAT MEANS STAYING IN SCHOOL.
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DROPPING OUT, THINK Acarth the
IV THROUGH. Mark
AGAIN. X 11 YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO $ wants THINKING to puit ABOUT school.
DROPPING OUT, TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVE
FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALREADY DROPPED OUT FIND THEM. TALK
TO THEM. FIND A WAY TO BRING THEM BACK.
[PAage] [PAUSE]
[PAUSE]
TODAY I'VE ASKED YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TERRIBLE
COST DRUGS ARE MAKING US ALL PAY, EVERY DAY. BUT EVEN
MORE IMPORTANT, I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU
CAN DO, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
LAST WINTER, AFTER I WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT, I
SAID THAT FROM NOW ON IN AMERICA, ANY DEFINITION OF A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS. HELPING
OTHERS. AND I HOPE WE ARX BELIEVE THAT.
you
- 12 -
THERE'S A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY AND AN OLD MAN
WHO WERE WALKING ALONG A BEACH. AS THE BOY WALKED
Boy
ALONG THE BEACH HE PICKED UP EACH STARFISH HE PASSED,
AND THREW IT INTO THE SEA. THE OLD MAN ASKED HIM WHY.
"IF I LEFT THEM HERE," THE BOY SAID, "THEY WOULD
DRY UP IN THE SUN AND DIE. I'M SAVING THEIR LIVES."
"BUT THE BEACH GOES ON FOR MILES AND THERE ARE
MILLIONS OF STARFISH," THE OLD MAN SAID.
"HOW CAN WHAT
YOU RE DOING MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?"
THE BOY LOOKED AT THE STARFISH IN HIS HAND, THREW
IT INTO THE OCEAN, AND ANSWERED, "IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
TO THIS ONE."
yu
- 13 -
VV
[PAUSE]
YOU'RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - -- FOR YOURSELF,
AND THOSE AROUND YOU. SO LEARN TO COUNT ON EACH OTHER.
TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. GIVE SOMEONE ELSE ANOTHER
CHANCE.
AND MAKE THE DAYS MEAN SOMETHING.
HAVE A GOOD YEAR. AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
page # 3
Every day
Document Originally
Attached to
Following Page
Christina's Indest Copy
Steph 2
REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
VV - slow down
^^ - speed up
SOMEHOW THE FALL ALWAYS FEELS LIKE A TIME TO START
OVER. IT'S A TIME FULL OF POSSIBILITY. EVERYONE GETS
A NEW CHANCE.
NOW, I KNOW THERE ARE AMERICANS OF EVERY AGE
WATCHING. BUT PRESIDENTS DON'T TALK DIRECTLY TO
STUDENTS VERY OFTEN. AND WHAT'S BEEN ON MY MIND LATELY
IS VERY IMPORTANT. SO FOR EACH OF YOU SITTING IN A
delbott del bold
CLASSROOM OR ASSEMBLY HALL...
THIS MESSAGE GOES
STRAIGHT TO YOU. -
DD
CLEANS BACK, ON EDGE OF DESK] WHEN I WAS THINKING
ABOUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY TO YOU TODAY ABOUT DRUGS, I
TRIED TO PUT MYSELF IN YOUR PLACE. TO LOOK AT IT FROM
YOUR PERSPECTIVE. BUT YOU KNOW, THE HARDER I TRIED,
THE HARDER IT GOT.
YOU LIVE IN COMPLICATED TIMES. YOU DEAL WITH
*
PRESSURES THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME -- PEOPLE LIKE YOUR MOM
OR DAD -- NEVER HAD TO FACE.
- 2 -
IT MAY SEEM TO YOU THAT YOUR PARENTS AND YOUR
TEACHERS GREW UP IN SIMPLER TIMES. BUT MOST OF THEM
LIVED THROUGH THE CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLES. SOME OF YOUR
FATHERS FOUGHT IN VIETNAM. AND FOR MANY OF YOU, YOUR
del bold
PARENTS AND TEACHERS WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO FACE
DRUGS.
VV
IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO TALK TO THEM, YOU MIGHT BE
SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH THEY DO UNDERSTAND.
\
Baseball
[PICKS UP BASEBALL] I USED TO PLAY BALL. KNEW
I'D NEVER MAKE THE BIG LEAGUES -- BUT I MADE A LOT OF
FRIENDS. FRIENDS I LEARNED TO COUNT ON -- BOTH ON AND
OFF THE FIELD.
WE TRUSTED EACH OTHER TO COME THROUGH -- NO MATTER
HOW TOUGH IT GOT. AND I LEARNED FROM THAT. I LEARNED
THAT THE KIND OF PEOPLE YOU MAKE YOUR FRIENDS CAN
EITHER GIVE YOU STRENGTH - -- OR TAKE IT AWAY.
- 3 -
I'M NOT SURE WHY IT IS, BUT SOME PEOPLE JUST MAKE
YOU FIND THE BEST IN YOURSELF. THEY CAN HELP MAKE YOU become
A BETTER PERSON - -- HELP YOU DISCOVER MORE OF WHO YOU
ARE.
[PUTS DOWN BASEBALL] THERE ARE OTHERS, WHO MAY
SEEM LIKE FRIENDS, BUT THEY'RE NOT -- -- AND THEY PROVE IT
-- EVERY TIME THEY OFFER YOU DRUGS.
WITH A THOUSAND SMALL DECISIONS YOU MAKE, EVERY
DAY YOU'RE SHAPING YOUR FUTURE. IT'S A FUTURE THAT
OUGHT TO BE BRIGHT WITH POTENTIAL. AND MOST OF YOU ARE
DOING THE RIGHT THING BUT FOR THOSE WHO LET DRUGS
MAKE THEIR DECISIONS FOR THEM, YOU CAN ALMOST HEAR THE
DOORS SLAMMING SHUT.
IT ISN'T WORTH IT. WE KNOW THAT NOW. ATTITUDES
THAT ONCE ENCOURAGED OR EXCUSED DRUG USE HAVE CHANGED.
COCAINE USE HAS DROPPED BY ABOUT A FIFTH AMONG HIGH
SCHOOL SENIORS. OVERALL DRUG USE IS AT THE LOWEST
LEVELS IN TEN YEARS.
- 4 -
BUT EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS, YOU OUGHT TO BE
ANGRY ABOUT THEM. BECAUSE YOU'RE BEING CHEATED BY
THOSE WHO DO.
+ alcohol abuse
ADD IT ALL UP, AND DRUG USE COSTS THIS COUNTRY
10<
dollars
WELL OVER $60 BILLION A YEAR -- IN CASH -- AND I DON'T
KNOW HOW TO QUANTIFY THE HUMAN SUFFERING DRUGS CAUSE,
BUT I DO KNOW WE'RE ALL PAYING FOR IT. WE'RE ALL
FEELING IT. EVERY DAY.
EVERY TIME SOMEONE DOES DRUGS; OR SELLS DRUGS; OR
EVEN "JUST LOOKS THE OTHER WAY," THEY'RE SUPPORTING AN
INDUSTRY THAT COSTS MORE THAN MONEY. IT COSTS LIVES.
EACH OF YOU HAS A DECISION TO MAKE -- AND DOZENS
OF CHANCES TO MAKE IT: AT A PARTY, ON THE STREET, IN
THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT --4 TOO OFTEN WHEN ALCOHOL IS
M
PART OF THE PROBLEM AND PARENTS, TEACHERS, COACHES,
POLITICIANS, PRESIDENTS -- NO ONE ELSE MAKES THAT
DECISION FOR YOU BUT IF YOU TALK TO SOMEONE YOU
TRUST, THEY MAY REMIND YOU OF WHAT'S AT STAKE.
Indent
this
5
was a
YES, IT'S YOUR DECISION. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW TO
goof.
^^
MAKE IT.
BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT IT MEANS.
YOU ALL
?
WATCH TV YOU SEE THE NEWS -- THE CRIME -- THE
DEVASTATION.
EVERY DOLLAR THAT GOES TO DRUGS FUELS THE KILLING.
Lets add
AS LONG AS THERE ARE AMERICANS WILLING TO BUY DRUGS,
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WILLING TO SELL DRUGS -- AND
PEOPLE WILLING TO KILL AS A COST OF DOING BUSINESS.
THERE IS A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SUPPLIERS AND EVEN
"OCCASIONAL" OR "WEEKEND" USERS THAT CAN NEVER BE
FORGOTTEN.
CASUAL DRUG USE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CASUALTIES
OF THE DRUG WAR. FROM THE CITY STREETS OF AMERICA TO
THE STREET BOMBINGS OF COLL I MBIA, EVEN DABBLERS IN DRUGS
BEAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BLOOD BEING SPILLED.
AND
UNLIKE THOSE OF YOU IN SCHOOL THIS FALL, THOSE KILLED
BY THE DRUG TRADE NEVER DO GET A SECOND CHANCE.
- 6 -
called
have
rightsy
DRUGS ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DESTROYER. THEY
HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. THEY DON'T CARE WHERE THE MONEY
COMES FROM. THEY JUST MURDER PEOPLE. YOUNG AND OLD,
GOOD AND BAD, INNOCENT AND GUILTY -- IT DOESN'T MATTER.
FOR TOO MANY, DRUGS MEAN DEATH.
[PICKS UP BADGE] I KEEP THIS BADGE IN A DRAWER IN
MY DESK, TO REMIND ME OF THAT. IT WAS WORN BY A YOUNG
ROOKIE COP NAMED EDDIE BYRNE. WENTY-TWO YEARS OLD --
NOT MUCH OLDER THAN SOME OF YOU. HE WAS OUT TRYING TO
STOP THE DRUG TRADE -- PROTECTING A WITNESS, SO THAT A
DEALER COULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.
EDDIE BYRNE HAD THREE BROTHERS. A GIRLFRIEND HE'D
KNOWN FOR FOUR YEARS. HE LOVED FISHING AND FOOTBALL --
WAS A RUNNING BACK AT PLAIN EDGE HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW
YORK. HE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS IN HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND EDDIE BYRNE HAD DREAMS.
BUT IN THE EARLY HOURS OF A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING,
SITTING IN A POLICE CRUISER, EDDIE BYRNE WAS BLOWN AWAY
killed
AT POINT-BLANK RANGE. BY FOUR YOUNG DEALERS, ON THE
ORDERS OF A DRUG KINGPIN. COLD AND CALCULATED.
- 7 -
I'VE HEARD SOME SAY, "IF YOU DO DRUGS NOW AND
THEN, YOU'RE NOT HURTING ANYBODY. IT'S NO BIG DEAL."
WELL, THE NEXT TIME YOU THINK ABOUT USING DRUGS, I WANT
YOU TO THINK OF EDDIE BYRNE -- AND I WANT YOU TO THINK
ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT LOST HIM.
TO ME THIS BADGE IS A CONSTANT REMINDER -- THAT
1
THE KILLING MUST AND WILL STOP. THIS IS A PROMISE:
EDDIE BYRNE'S LIFE WAS NOT GIVEN IN VAIN. [PUTS BADGE
DOWN.]
WHERE YOU'RE SITTING RIGHT NOW -- IN SCHOOL -- I
KNOW YOU'VE GOT YOUR DREAMS. EVERYONE DOES. BUT OUT
ON THE STREETS, A NIGHTMARE FOR AMERICA IS HAPPENING,
EVERY DAY. EVERY NIGHT.
SOMEWHERE A TEENAGE GIRL WHO OUGHT TO BE IN SCHOOL
IS GIVING BIRTH TO A BABY ALREADY ADDICTED TO COCAINE.
THAT BABY IS COMING INTO THIS WORLD SHAKING AND
TWITCHING FROM WITHDRAWAL -- SO SENSITIVE TO THE TOUCH
THAT IT CAN'T BE HELD OR FED PROPERLY.
Coccine crack are - 8 - a minace Antwe sometimes
ask ourselves.
[PICKS UP VIAL] HOW CAN SOMETHING so SMALL CAUSE
lead
so MUCH PAIN? HOW CAN IT FORCE BROTHERS TO KILL
BROTHERS, MOTHERS TO ABANDON CHILDREN? AND BEHIND ALL
OF THE SENSELESS VIOLENCE, THE NEEDLESS TRAGEDY, WHAT
HAUNTS ME IS THE QUESTION -- WHY?
[PUTS DOWN VIAL] I HAVE ONE ANSWER. DRUGS ARE
STILL A PROBLEM, BECAUSE TOO MANY OF US ARE STILL
LOOKING THE OTHER WAY. AND THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO TALK
TO YOU TODAY.
I'M ASKING YOU NOT TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY. MAYBE
YOU'RE IN TROUBLE -- OR ON THE EDGE OF TROUBLE. MAYBE
YOU an KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS. MAYBE YOU'VE GOT YOUNGER
BROTHERS OR SISTERS -- YOU KNOW THEY'RE LOOKING UP TO
YOU. DON'T RISK YOUR LIFE -- OR THEIRS.
AND IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING WITH THE KIND OF PROBLEM
THAT CAN TRULY BE THE TOUGHEST -- IF YOU HAVE PARENTS
WHO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH DRUGS OR ALCOHOL -- FIND SOMEONE
YOU CAN TRUST. TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.
- 9 -
YOU KNOW -- ALL OF YOU IN A CLASSROOM KNOW --
WHO'S GOT A PROBLEM. TODAY I'M NOT JUST ASKING YOU TO
GET HELP offer I'M ASKING YOU TO FIND SOMEONE WHO NEEDS
to
Stet
YOU. AND HELP THEM. I'LL SAY IT AGAIN: IF YOU'RE NOT
help
IN TROUBLE, SEEK OUT SOMEONE WHO IS.
WE ALL WANT TO SUCCEED. AND I'LL LET YOU IN ON A
SECRET: WE ALL CAN SUCCEED. MAYBE YOU'VE HEARD
MICHAEL JORDAN SAY "IF YOU DON'T USE DRUGS, YOU CAN
mape you're heard michal
JUST ABOUT BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE. YOU'VE GOT AT gerden say
LEAST 3/4 OF YOUR LIFE TO GO. THAT'S THREE MORE
LIFETIMES TO YOU. SO DON'T BLOW IT."
SAYING "NO" WON'T MAKE YOU A NERD. IT WON'T MAKE
YOU A LOSER. IN FACT, IT WILL MAKE YOU MORE FRIENDS
THAN DRUGS EVER WILL. REAL FRIENDS.
BUT IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH REASON, THERE'S ANOTHER
SIDE: USING ILLEGAL DRUGS IS AGAINST THE LAW AND IF
YOU BREAK THE LAW, YOU PAY THE PRICE.
BECAUSE THE
RULES HAVE CHANGED.
- 10 -
IF YOU DO DRUGS, YOU WILL BE CAUGHT.
AND WHEN
YOU'RE CAUGHT, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. YOU MIGHT LOSE
YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE -- SOME STATES HAVE STARTED
REVOKING USERS' DRIVING PRIVILEGES. OR YOU MIGHT LOSE
THE COLLEGE LOAN YOU WANTED -- BECAUSE WE'RE NOT
HELPING THOSE WHO BREAK THE LAW. THESE ARE PRIVILEGES,
NOT RIGHTS. IF YOU RISK DOING DRUGS, YOU RISK
EVERYTHING -- EVEN YOUR FREEDOM. BECAUSE YOU WILL BE
PUNISHED.
NOW, I CAN IMAGINE A FEW WHISPERS OUT THERE --
MAYBE YOU THINK WE'LL NEVER GET DRUGS UNDER CONTROL --
THAT IT'S TOO EASY FOR THE DEALERS TO GET BACK ON THE
STREET. Well, THOSE DAYS ARE OVER, TOO. THE REVOLVING
DOOR... JUST JAMMED.
Some
YOU THINK THERE WON'T BE ROOM FOR THEM IN JAIL?
WE'LL MAKE ROOM
WE'RE ALMOST DOUBLING PRISON SPACE.
YOU THINK THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PROSECUTORS? WE'LL HIRE
THEM... WITH THE LARGEST INCREASE IN FEDERAL
PROSECUTORS IN HISTORY. THE DAY OF THE DEALER IS
DRAWING TO A CLOSE. [PAUSE]
d
- 11 -
NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE -- OR HOW STRONG YOU ARE
DRUGS TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE. BUT WITHOUT DRUGS,
you're
YOU ARE IN CONTROL. YOU CAN DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE.
AND THAT MEANS STAYING IN SCHOOL.
it through
IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT DROPPING OUT, THINK about at
mape you
Wants to quit school
AGAIN. IF YOU KNOW SOMEBODY WHO S THINKING ABOUT
DROPPING OUT, TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT. IF YOU HAVE
FRIENDS WHO HAVE ALREADY DROPPED OUT, FIND THEM. TALK
TO THEM. FIND A WAY TO BRING THEM BACK.
struggling
or
is
toughest
TODAY I'VE ASKED YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE TERRIBLE
toll
COST DRUGS ARE MAKING taking Stet US ALL PAY, EVERY DAY. BUT EVEN
stet
alcohol
MORE IMPORTANT, I'M ASKING YOU TO THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU
CAN DO, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.
LAST WINTER, AFTER I WAS SWORN IN AS PRESIDENT, I
SAID THAT FROM NOW ON IN AMERICA, ANY DEFINITION OF A
SUCCESSFUL LIFE MUST INCLUDE SERVING OTHERS. HELPING
OTHERS. AND I HOPE WE ALL BELIEVE THAT.
you
- 12 -
THERE'S A STORY ABOUT A YOUNG BOY AND AN OLD MAN
md theywalkeds)
WHO WERE WALKING ALONG A BEACH. AS THE BOY WALKED
ALONG THE BEACH HE PICKED UP EACH STARFISH HE PASSED,
The boy)
AND THREW IT INTO THE SEA. THE OLD MAN ASKED HIM WHY.
"IF I LEFT THEM HERE," THE BOY SAID, "THEY WOULD
DRY UP IN THE SUN AND DIE. I'M SAVING THEIR LIVES."
"BUT THE BEACH GOES ON FOR MILES AND THERE ARE
MILLIONS OF STARFISH," THE OLD MAN SAID. "HOW CAN WHAT
YOU'RE DOING MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE?"
THE BOY LOOKED AT THE STARFISH IN HIS HAND, THREW
IT INTO THE OCEAN, AND ANSWERED, "IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE
TO THIS ONE." [PAUSE]
- 13 -
VV
YOU'RE HERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - -- FOR YOURSELF,
AND THOSE AROUND YOU. so LEARN TO COUNT ON EACH OTHER.
TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. GIVE SOMEONE ELSE ANOTHER
CHANCE.
AND MAKE THE DAYS MEAN SOMETHING.
HAVE A GOOD YEAR. AND GOD BLESS YOU.
###
#1 DRAFT
(Lange/Blessey)
September 7, 1989
11:15 a.m.
[SCHOOLS.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS:
ADDRESS TO STUDENTS (7TH-12TH)
THE LIBRARY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1989
12:15 P.M.
[LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW] Somehow the fall always feels like
a time to start over. It's a time full of possibility. Everyone
gets a new chance.
[TO CAMERA] You know, Presidents don't talk directly to
students very often. But what's been on my mind lately is very
important. You may have heard my address to the nation last
week. But I wanted this message to go straight to you.
[LEANS ON EDGE OF DESK] When I was thinking about what I
about drugs
wanted to say to you today, I tried to put myself in your place.
To look at it from your perspective. But you know, the harder I
tried, the harder it got.
You live in complicated times. You deal with pressures that
people like me -- people like your mom or dad -- never had to
face.
Some say my generation came of age in a simpler time. A
time when doing lines meant reciting poems. When Coke only came
in bottles. Rock only came on the radio. Hash only came in
cans. And the idea of smoking "ice" would have been a little
confusing.
2
Simpler times? Maybe. And if you think your parents don't
understand -- or your teachers don't understand -- you may be
right.
But it's up to you to care enough to talk to them, and make
them understand what it is you're dealing with, every day.
Whether they want to or not. Whether you think they deserve it
or not.
[PICKS UP GLOVE] I used to play ball. Knew I'd never make
the big leagues -- but I made a lot of friends. Friends I
learned to count on -- on and off the field. Friends who showed
me what it's like to be counted on.
We trusted each other to come through -- no matter how tough
it got. And I learned from that. I learned that the kind of
people you surround yourself with can either give you strength --
or take it away.
Somehow, some people just make you find the best in
yourself. They can help make you a better person -- help you
discover more of who you are.
[PUTS DOWN GLOVE] But there are others, who may seem like
friends, who will offer you a one-way ticket to nowhere -- every
time they offer you drugs.
You're at a point in your life when the doors should all be
opening to you. And with each step, with a thousand small
decisions, you're shaping your future. It ought to be bright
with potential. But for some, who are letting drugs make their
decisions for them, you can almost hear the doors slamming shut.
3
We know that now. Attitudes that once encouraged or excused
drug use have changed.
use
The latest surveys show that use of cocaine has dropped by
n
about a third among high school seniors. Overall drug use is at
the lowest levels in ten years. We now understand that "casual"
drug use is a myth.
But even if you don't use drugs, you ought to be angry about
them. Because you're being cheated by those who do.
Add it all up, and drug abuse costs this country well over
$60 billion a year. If every student entering junior and senior
high school this fall had to pay that bill, it would cost each of
you more than $3000. Every year
rbdd
But of course, we're all paying for it -- every day. Every
time someone does drugs; or sells drugs; or even just looks the
other way, they're supporting an industry that costs more than
money. It costs lives. Because "casual" drug use is responsible
for the casualties of the drug war.
Each of you has a choice to make -- and dozens of chances to
in the pchool perkery lot,
make it. At a party, in a locker room, standing outside. And
parents, preachers, politicians -- you know that none of them
make it for you. It's yours. I won't tell you how to make it.
But I will tell you what it means.
Every dollar that goes to drugs fuels the killing. As long
as there are Americans willing to buy drugs, there will be people
willing to sell drugs -- and people willing to kill to maintain
&
drug markets.
as a of
doing Business
4
So even casual users -- dabblers in drugs -- have blood on
their hands. And unlike those of you entering school this fall,
those killed by the drug trade will never get a second chance.
Drugs are an equal opportunity destroyer. They have no
conscience. They don't care where the money comes from. They
just murder people. Young and old, good and bad -- it doesn't
matter. For too many, drugs mean death.
[PICKS UP BADGE] I keep this badge in a drawer in my desk,
to remind me of that. It was worn by a young rookie cop named
Eddie Byrne. Twenty-two years old -- not much older than some of
you. He was out trying to stop the drug trade -- trying to
protect a witness, so that a dealer could be brought to justice.
Eddie Byrne had three brothers. A girlfriend he'd known for
And R lovel
four years. He loved football was a running back at Plain
Edge High School. He had a lot of friends in his neighborhood.
But in the early hours of a cold February morning, sitting in a
cruiser, Eddie Byrne was blown away at point-blank range.
To me this badge is a constant reminder -- that the killing
must and will stop. It's a promise, that Eddie Byrne's life was
not given in vain. That the slavery of drugs must end -- and
will end. [PUTS BADGE DOWN.]
From where you're sitting right now -- in school -- you're
in a position to begin to make your dreams come true. But out on
the streets, a nightmare for America is happening, right now.
Somewhere a teenage girl who ought to be in school is giving
birth to a baby already addicted to cocaine. That baby is coming
5
into this world shaking and twitching from withdrawal -- so
sensitive to the touch that it can't be held or fed properly.
[PICKS UP VIAL] How can something so small cause so much
pain? How can it force mothers to abandon children brothers to
kill brothers?
And behind all of the senseless violence, the
needless tragedy, what haunts me is the question -- why?
PUTS DOWN VIAL] I have one answer. Drugs are still a
problem, because too many of us are still looking the other way.
And that's why I wanted to get out to you today.
I'm asking you not to look the other way. Maybe you're in
trouble -- or on the edge of trouble. Maybe you know someone who
is.
You know -- all of you know -- who's got a problem. Today
not
to
asking you
I'm asking you to find someone who needs help. And help-them.
If you're not in trouble -- seek out someone who is.
We all need to succeed. And I'll let you in on a secret:
say
we all can succeed. Maybe you've heard Michael Jordan who
said "If you don't use drugs, you can just about be anything you
want to be. You've got at least 3/4 of your life to go. That's
three more lifetimes to you. So don't blow it."
Saying "no" won't make you a nerd. It won't make you a
OF
geek. It won't make you a loser It won't make you a dweeb
It will only show strength. And it will make you more friends
than drugs ever will.
I think of Gary -- a very street-tough drug user from
Denver, who was part of a panel answering questions from students
6
about drugs. In the middle of the session, Gary broke down and
cried, saying that he did drugs because no one who wasn't doing
drugs would like him. When the students in the audience were
there was a sea on hand
asked who would be Gary's friend, just about all of them raised
all around the room.
their hands
You are in control of your life. With knowledge and
education, you will succeed. You can not be denied.
If you're thinking about dropping out, think again. If you
know somebody who's thinking about dropping out, talk to them
about it. If you have friends who have already dropped out, find
them. Talk to them. Find a way to bring them back.
How can such a small step make any difference? Well, last
winter, after I was sworn in as President, I said that any
definition of a successful life must include serving others. And
I think we all sense that.
A friend of mine tells a story about a young boy and an old
man who were walking along a beach. As the boy walked along the
beach he picked up each starfish he passed, and threw it into the
sea. The old man asked him why.
"If I left them here," the boy said, "they would dry up in
the sun and die. I'm saving their lives."
"But the beach goes on for miles and their are millions of
starfish," the old man said. "How can what you're doing make any
difference?"
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, threw it into
the ocean, and answered, "It makes a difference to this one."
7
You're here to make a difference -- for yourself, and those
around you. So learn to count on each other. Take care of each
other. Give someone else another chance. And make the days mean
something.
I've got a lot of faith in you. But even more important,
maybe you've got younger brothers well, or sisters -- they're looking
up to you. And your future -- 1 that's completely bold up to you.
Make it a good one.
Have a good year. Good luck. And God bless you.
# # #