Michelle Obama semi-public comments on drugs

First Lady Michelle Obama stopped in Mexico as part of her first solo trip abroad and focused on youth issues including the need for a solid education. She refrained from publicly speaking on the dangers of drugs or the rampant violence in parts of Mexico. While it may’ve been diplomatically prudent from mentioning such topics it also meant that youth missed the chance to hear the following:

First lady Michelle Obama said Wednesday that reducing the demand for illegal drugs needs an approach much broader than just warning young people to stay away from them.

"If young people don't have an alternative in their lives, whatever country they're in, they're going to choose drugs, they're going to choose (the) drug trade. That's the way they make money," Mrs. Obama told reporters from six U.S. media outlets after a speech to several thousand young people during her first international trip as first lady.

Obama will continue in Mexico on Thursday where she’s scheduled to meet with a group female business leaders.

Image- Houston Chronicle (“First lady Michelle Obama finds a moment Wednesday to play with children at a public school in Mexico City.”)
Online Sources- Los Angeles Times, Reuters, AP