“Welcome to Stockholm and the first World Forum Against Drugs.
Every day, all over of the world, people and organisations do impressive work to prevent drug abuse. At this meeting many of these people will get to know each other, exchange experiences and establish valuable networks that cross borders and link continents.

The World Forum Against Drugs will inspire the participants in plenary sessions and in major sessions as well as in highly focused workshops. Our speakers are distinguished scholars, scientists, international drugs policymakers and, most importantly, representatives of voluntary organisations.

A few years ago when a group of eleven Swedish national organisations and co-partners started the work for this world conference their first goal was to reach out around the globe, especially the grass roots Non Governmental Organizations (ngo’s) that were working hard to reduce drug
abuse and illegal drug trafficking. As a result of their efforts, more than 80 countries from 5 continents are represented at the World Forum Against Drugs. This is a much better outcome than we ever imagined.
The explanation for this overwhelmingly positive response is the great need for an active community of people committed to effective drug abuse prevention.

Another important goal of the World Forum Against Drug is to send a message to the upcoming ungass on narcotic drugs that there is strong popular support from around the world for the un Conventions on Narcotic Drugs. This conference itself is a strong statement of support but we will also send a formal resolution of support to the ungass. The central issue of drug policy today is whether the world accepts growing illegal drug use or whether the world continues to work to stop illegal drug use and trafficking.

We are clear:
the proper goal of drug prevention is to stop illegal drug use; not to tolerate it.

The first World Forum Against Drugs ends in the closing session by launching a global, active and ongoing network of organisations united behind the UN Conventions on Narcotic Drugs. One of the tasks for this new global network will be to organise a series of future world conferences against drug use and trafficking.
The world community has united for 100 years to prevent the abuse of narcotics and other drugs of abuse. Much has been achieved but more work is needed in the years ahead to prevent young people from experimenting with illegal drugs and from exposing themselves to the tragic risk of addiction.

At this meeting, and in our work to follow, we are building on this solid international foundation. We need to work together to develop new and more effective ways to reduce illegal drug use and trafficking. This meeting is devoted to achieveing that goal.
This first World Forum Against Drugs could not have been realized without generous contributions from the Swedish Government, the City of Stockholm, public authorities, as well as strong support from non-governmental organisations. More than 20 private companies stand behind World Forum Against Drugs as sponsors.

We are very grateful to them as well as everyone else that made this big event happen.
Once again, welcome to Stockholm and the historic first World Forum Against Drugs.“