SR-91, As Adopted by Senate, August 22, 2007

            Senator Birkholz offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 91.

            A resolution observing September 2007 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, The dependence on and abuse of alcohol and other drugs affects millions of people every year without regard to social, economic, or ethnic background. This results in enormous financial and human costs including absenteeism, impaired work productivity, property damage, incarceration, accidents, medical expenses, dependence on public assistance, child neglect, bodily injury, destruction of family ties, and loss of life; and

            Whereas, Based on information from the 2005 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, an estimated 22.2 million persons in the United States (9.1 percent of the population aged 12 or older) were classified with substance dependence or abuse in the past year; and

            Whereas, Every day men, women, and adolescents in the state of Michigan experience the many benefits of recovery and seek to reestablish their place in the community by entering treatment for substance abuse. Meanwhile, their families pursue hope and recovery in support programs and counseling; and

            Whereas, Effective treatment and support for the individuals, families, and children affected by substance abuse and dependence can help our young people succeed in school, provide children with capable and caring parents, reduce the incidence of drug-related crime, and help people get their lives back through restored health and productivity, thereby, saving both lives and dollars; and

            Whereas, There is a need to erode social stigmas about addiction and educate the public, community organizations, public officials, and civic leaders about the impact of alcohol and other drugs on our community, the value of treatment, and the hope of recovery; and

            Whereas, To help achieve this goal, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy invite all persons to participate in National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month each September; and

            Whereas, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month is a national initiative and annual observance that highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, celebrates people in recovery, recognizes those in the treatment field who dedicate their lives to helping people recover from addiction, and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse is possible; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby observe September 2007 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the state of Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as a token of our support.