Souder to host drug control discussion

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - U.S. Representative Mark Souder and Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske will host a roundtable discussion on Monday, August 31 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. regarding national drug control policy and strategy.

The roundtable, which is one of eight regional meetings with public health and safety leaders from the community, will take place at the Landmark Conference Centre in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"My 37 years of law enforcement, including nine as Seattle Police Chief, tell me that substance abuse is an issue of public health and safety, as well as one of law enforcement," said ONDCP Director Kerlikowske. "This meeting with Congressman Souder and representatives from the public health and safety communities Indiana is a positive sign that we are building the partnerships needed to develop sound policy that will ultimately reduce drug abuse in our great nation."

“After holding more than a dozen hearings examining meth abuse as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources, and helping to author the Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic bill, I am acutely aware of the problems that arise when drug abuse, especially illegal drug abuse, plagues a community,” said Congressman Souder. “I am pleased that concerned officials from all eight of the counties I represent will be joining ONDCP Director Gil Kerlikowske and me on Monday to discuss how we can combat substance abuse and prevent illegal drugs from endangering our communities.”

Media are invited to attend the last 15 minutes of the roundtable discussion, from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. Following the event, Souder and Kerlikowske will be available to the media to discuss the event and answer questions.

DATE: Monday, August 31

MEETING OPENS TO MEDIA: 3:15 p.m.

PRESS AVAILABILITY: 3:30-3:45 p.m.

LOCATION: Landmark Conference Centre

6222 Ellison Road

Fort Wayne, IN

ONDCP is hosting eight regional meetings with community leaders from around the country. The feedback from these discussions will help form the Obama Administration’s first National Drug Control Strategy, to be published in February.