On behalf of the World Youth Foundation and the People of the State of Melaka I would like to welcome all distinguished guests and participants to this International Conference on Drugs and Young People: Providing an enabling environment for young people to make choices, hosted by the Foundation.
Drug use is a social ill that does not recognize any national border. I acknowledge with great sadness of studies that show that youth or young people above the age of 15, wherever they may be regardless of boundaries, are the highest risk group falling victims to drug use and the ills that follow.
The period of youth is characterized by strength and vigor and stands out as the choicest time in human life. It is springtime in man’s life. It is the time when all energy should be dedicated to learning the arts, crafts and sciences that can be used to uplift the world of being. Certainly it is not the time to indulge in drug use and become a social menace or burden to the society.
It gives me great pleasure to invite everyone here in this gathering especially the young people to deliberate on the issues that will be put forth. I believe we are all here with one common and noble purpose that is to look into ways how to move this generation closer towards a drug free life.
Youth can move the world. It is within their power to contribute significantly to shaping the societies. I trust in the capacity of this generation to discharge their responsibilities. You will have to show forth courage clinging to standards of rectitude and characterizing purity of thought and action. As you dedicate yourselves to healing the wounds with which your people have been afflicted, you will become invincible champions of justice.

I hope you will find this conference stimulating and enjoyable. I wish you every success in your deliberations.

Thank you.

Rt. Hon. Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam
Chairman