White House Drug Policy Director Kerlikowske to Host Pen and Pad Briefing for Mexican Journalists

Washington, D.C. – Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy, will host a pen and pad briefing for Mexican Journalists on Friday, January 28th. During the briefing, Director Kerlikowske will discuss ongoing counternarcotics cooperation between the United States and Mexico, support for hemispheric drug prevention and treatment, and unprecedented U.S. efforts to reduce drug consumption and demand in the United States.

The 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health – the largest U.S. survey on drug use - shows the number of Americans aged 12 and older who are current users of cocaine has dropped by 21 percent since 2007, from an estimated 2.1 million users in 2007 to an estimated 1.6 million users in 2009. In particular, there has also been a 19 percent decline in current use of cocaine among 18-25 year olds – the segment of the population with the highest rates of use – during the same period of time. Additionally, there has been a 60 percent drop in the rate of people testing positive for cocaine in the workplace between 2006 and 2009, from 72 to 29 out of every 10,000 workers tested.

Who:     Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy

What:    On the Record Pen and Pad Briefing

When:   Friday, January 28th, 2011
               11:00 a.m. Media must be in place no later than 10:45 a.m.

Where:  Office of National Drug Control Policy
               750 17th St. NW
                Washington, D.C. 20305

RSVP:    Credentialed media must RSVP to gain access. Credentialed news outlets can send an e-mail to mediainquiry@ondcp.eop.gov or call 202-395-6618.