By Ed Somers
March 7, 2005

Miami Mayor Manuel A. Diaz hosted a meeting on February 23-24 with The U.S. Conference of Mayors and White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) that focused on local leadership in the ongoing fight against drugs.

ONDCP Director John Walters praised the efforts of mayors and local law enforcement for bringing crime rates down and continuing to find innovative ways to engage the community with law enforcement.

Participants in the meeting included Mayor Diaz, Conference President Akron Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic, Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley and Baltimore Mayor Martin O-Malley, as well as several top police chiefs and law enforcement professionals.

The agenda covered federal interdiction efforts and treatment resources (sent mostly to the states). But the majority of the agenda allowed cities to highlight their best practices — such as Chicago's use of cameras and Miami's comprehensive neighborhood deployment strategy.

Director Walters was also joined by Peggy Conlon, President and CEO of The Advertising Council for the release of new ads aimed at mobilizing Americans to get involved with kids at the local level through community organizations and anti-drug coalitions. Research shows that kids are less likely to use drugs when adults play a significant role in their lives. The campaign reinforces the idea that citizens' small efforts can have a big impact on reducing the drug problem in their community.