First, I would like to thank Mr. Tay Bien How , Director of the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program, and Dato' Wan Ibrahim bin Wan Ahmad from the National Drugs Agency for inviting me to participate in today's opening ceremony with our other distinguished speakers, Y.B. Dato' Zainal Abidin bin Zin, Deputy Minister I, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Mr. Mohamed Yunus, President of Pengasih.

I am very proud that the U.S. Government is able to support this workshop in Kual Lumpur because Malaysia is one of our strongest partners in the global war against drugs. The cooperation between our policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and drug treatment professionals is one of the highlights of the U.S.-Malaysia relationship.

I look forward to seeing our bilateral and regional cooperation continue and expand, because that's the only way we will ever prevail over the drug traffickers. We have seen the social devastation caused by drug use in the United States, and we are anxious to work with our friends around the world to put an end to the drug menace.

In addition to government-to-government cooperation, national regional and international networks of cooperation between public and private organizations are a powerful force in the fight against drug abuse.

The Colombo Plan is a shining example of this strategy at work -- a network of private anti-drug organizations and government agencies stretching from Fiji to Pakistan.

Regional networks like the Colombo Plan are also important models of "south-south" cooperation, as most often trainers and trainees are from South and Southeast Asia and countries of the Pacific. This allows drug prevention programs to be adapted and designed in the context of local culture and tradition.

Since faith and spirituality are important components of local values and culture, it makes perfect sense that faith-based organizations have an important role to play in drug prevention and treatment.

Now, you are probably aware that the United States has a strong history of separation between religious and government organizations. While this is a bedrock feature of American society, my government certainly recognizes and appreciates the uniquely effective role that faith-based organizations can play in eradicating drugs, fighting poverty, and empowering disadvantaged groups, especially women and children.

In January 2001, President Bush signed an Executive Order directing the Health and Human Services Department, and the Departments of Justice, Education, Labor, and Housing and Urban Development to establish a Center for Faith-based and Community Initiatives within their respective agencies.

The goal of these centers is to make federal agencies that provide welfare and social services to the American people more receptive to collaboration with faith-based organizations. The centers will facilitate the work of these organizations, which often work more effectively at the grassroots level than federal welfare providers.

The reason for supporting faith-based initiatives in drug prevention or for any social problem is clear: While the federal government has the resources and expertise to build a highway and even a space rocket, it cannot heal emotional wounds or give people a sense of purpose in their lives.

I know Malaysia prides itself on being a "caring society," and I applaud everyone who is participating here today and working to uplift their community to maintain that ideal.

Thank you very much for asking me to participate in today's festivities.