WHEREAS, every twenty minutes drugs take another life in the United States; and

WHEREAS, educating the public about the lessons learned from drug abuse prevention and treatment research, including the special dangers faced by adolescents, is an effective way to reduce illegal drug use and build local support for community anti-drug efforts; and

WHEREAS, every life extinguished or derailed by substance abuse is a tragic loss of promise and potential to a community, and a particularly painful loss to the families and friends left behind; and

WHEREAS, on June 8, 2006, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America, the Partnership for a Drug Free America, National Families in Action and the Drug-Free Kids organization sponsored a candlelight vigil to honor those who have lost their lives to drugs and in support of those left behind; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED that the International Association of Chiefs of Police calls upon its members to work with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to encourage vigils in local communities modeled after the June 8, 2006 candlelight vigil held at DEA Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.