18 First Ladies Hold ‘Summit’ on Drug Threat

Nancy Reagan, convening a “first ladies’ summit” amid White House pomp, today asked her 17 guests to share their experiences and search for a common solution to keep drugs from “maiming” children around the world.

“We have a . . . goal to share our experiences and learn from them,” Mrs. Reagan told the group gathered in the East Room. “I think we are agreed we are here for one reason--the well-being of our children.

“The presence of 18 first ladies from around the globe says clearly that drugs are a threat to our children no matter where they live. Even if nothing else were to be accomplished today and tomorrow, your attendance has sent a message to people everywhere--drugs are maiming our children.”

Several of the women at the session come from countries under attack in Congress for flooding the United States with illegal drugs.

Global Guest List

The guests included Rosa Helena Alvarez de Betancur of Colombia, Marianne von Weizsaecker of West Germany, Anna Maria Craxi of Italy and Paloma Cordero de la Madrid of Mexico.

Also attending were Mila Mulroney of Canada, Eugenia Febres-Cordero of Ecuador, Joan Fitzgerald of Ireland, Tsutako Nakasone of Japan, Siti Fatimah Ahmad of Malaysia, Sarojini Jugnauth of Mauritius, Anne-Marie Willoch of Norway, Shafiq Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan, Maria Manuela Eanes of Portugal, Maria Lorenza Barreneche de Alfonsin of Argentina, Teresa Ormachea de Siles Zuazo of Bolivia, Marie Seaga of Jamaica and Maria Consuelo de Ardito Barletta of Panama.

Mrs. Reagan greeted her guests on the South Lawn. Members of a fife and bugle corps dressed in Revolutionary garb piped out a salute as each of the women arrived.