Activities of Secretary-General in Italy, 2 April

On Tuesday morning, 2 April, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, accompanied by Madam Ban Soon-taek, arrived in San Patrignano, Italy, by car from San Marino.

At a drug rehabilitation centre there, the Secretary-General met with residents and staff.  They toured the centre, which was established in 1978 and has drawn thousands of people from more than 100 countries for a free therapeutic programme based on education and rehabilitation.

In remarks, the Secretary-General said drugs are a global challenge.  “But I am telling leaders that for those like yourselves who have been using drugs for some time, for whatever reasons, should be given the full protection of human rights and human dignity,” he said.  “I assure you that we will work for your better future where you can be an honourable member of your community, where you can contribute your skills and potential for better social and economic development of our world.”

The Secretary-General left San Patrignano that same morning and headed to Rimini airport, from where he flew to Barcelona and then on to Andorra, where he arrived that same day.