History teaches us that almost every discovery or invention designed to make our lives a little better can, in the wrong hands, become an instrument of tragedy and suffering. Nothing better illustrates this than the problem of drug abuse in America. When used properly, today's drugs can work miracles that were unimaginable only a short time ago. When they fall into the hands of the immature, the careless, the ignorant, or the despairing, their effects can be devastating. If we are to rid our society of the problem of drug abuse, we must first rid ourselves of the idea that it is confined to a single group. Drug abusers include the busy executive who cannot function without the aid of heavy drinking, the youth who is addicted to heroin, and the victim of disease who grows dependent upon prescribed medication. Once we understand that the problem does not derive from a single source, we can appreciate the futility of attempting to seek a single solution. Controlling the availability of drugs and seeking better methods of treating the drug abuser are vital, but unless we also identify and reduce the social pressures which encourage drug abuse, our other efforts will achieve little. Recognizing this we are focusing our efforts on the search for ways to stop drug abuse before it starts. In particular, we are directing our attention to ways of helping young people understand themselves and their surroundings without the artificial support of dangerous drugs. How successful we will be remains to be seen. But each of us needs the courage to face these hard truths, the insight to recognize that this problem affects us all, and the determination to do something about it. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY CARTER, President of the United States of America, in order to inaugurate the 1978 National Drug Abuse Prevention Campaign, do hereby proclaim the week beginning January 15, 1978, as National Drug Abuse Prevention Week. I call upon government officials, educators, medical professionals, clergy, business and civic leaders to join together in working to create an America where people are no longer tempted to abuse drugs. I call upon parents to examine the ways they respect or abuse drugs in their homes and to remember that their attitudes are likely to shape the attitudes of their children. Most of all, I ask each American to take the time and trouble to learn about drug abuse prevention, to kindle positive values within our families and communities, and to create opportunities for people of all ages and all backgrounds to come together to share their ideas, skills, and resources. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred seventy-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and second. As a special mark of respect to the memory of the Honorable Hubert H. Humphrey, former Vice President of the United States of America and Senator from the State of Minnesota, I, Jimmy Carter, President of the United States of America do hereby proclaim, by virtue of the authority vested in me by a Joint Resolution of the Congress (36 U.S.C. 178), that the period of public tribute and appreciation shall be extended and the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels of the Federal government in the District of Columbia, and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until, and including January 19, 1978, the day the 95th Congress of the United States reconvenes. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. May this period, as Senator Humphrey wished, “be a time to celebrate life and the future" even though we cannot escape the pain and sorrow of his leaving. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and seventy-eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and second. JIMMY CARTER Proclamation 4546 January 19, 1978 American Heart Month, 1978 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Diseases of the heart and blood vessels afflict some thirty million Americans. Each year cardiovascular disorders claim nearly one million lives and cost our economy nearly forty-eight billion dollars in lost wages, lost productivity, and medical expenses. Since 1948, a concerted national effort has been under way to reduce illness, disability, and death from heart and blood vessel disease: through nationwide programs of biomedical research in the cardiovascular field, training of research workers and clinicians, information and education programs for health professionals and for the general public, and community service activities concerned with prevention, detection, and control of cardiovascular disorders. These efforts have been spearheaded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a federal agency, and the American Heart Association, a voluntary health organization supported through private contributions. Since 1948, their combined outlay in support of the national battle against cardiovascular diseases has totaled nearly three billion dollars. During these thirty years, an immense amount of new knowledge about the cardiovascular system and its diseases has been amassed and much of it has found application in better methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. In addition, many Americans have modified their diets, established sensible and regular exercise programs, changed their smoking habits, or have otherwise altered their lifestyles to achieve better cardiovascular health. As a result, mortality rates have declined steadily since 1950 in nearly all major cardiovascular disease categories and the total number of deaths among Americans from these diseases is the lowest it has been since 1965. But these encouraging results are no excuse for complacency. On the contrary, they show that it is only through sustained dedication and cooperation among public officials, community leaders, private institutions, and the Americans people that we have any chance of controlling this threat to the health of our Nation. Recognizing the need for all Americans to join forces in the battle against cardiovascular disease, the Congress, by joint resolution approved December 30, 1963 (77 Stat. 843; 36 U.S.C. 169b) has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating February as American Heart Month. NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIMMY CARTER, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the month of February, 1978, as American Heart Month. I invite the Governors of the States, the appropriate officials of all other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and the American people to join with me in reaffirming our commitment to the search for new way to prevent, detect and control cardiovascular disease in all its forms. 40-002 0-79--2 |