Proclaiming September 2009 as "National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month" and Honoring Recovery Month for 20 Years of Excellence and Achievement.

The City Council of Philadelphia Declares September “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” in Philadelphia and encourages participation in promoting the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, applauds the contributions of treatment providers and promoting the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible.

WHEREAS

, Over the last 20 years, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) has inspired millions of people to raise awareness about addiction, share their stories of recovery, and assist others who are still struggling; and

WHEREAS

, Substance use and abuse is a major public health problem that affects millions of Americans of all ages, races and ethnic backgrounds and in all communities with a huge medical, societal and economic cost; and

WHEREAS

, Addiction is a chronic illness that involves significant physical changes in brain function and treatments exist for it, that are, as effective as the treatment of other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma; and

WHEREAS

, Recognizing September as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” (Recovery Month), and further affords the substance abuse treatment community an opportunity to educate the public and policymakers about the effectiveness of treatment, both societal and financial; and

WHEREAS

, The cost of untreated drug and alcohol addiction in the U.S., has been estimated at $276 billion per year in lost productivity, law enforcement, health care, justice, welfare, and other programs and services. It is estimated that there are 10 million active alcohol and other drug addicted individuals in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS

, PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization — Achieving Community Together) will honor Recovery Month with the first annual walk to celebrate recovery in the five-county area. The three mile walk is expected to attract hundreds of participants, recognize survivors, provide hope for families and individuals still struggling with addiction and increase awareness that recovery is not only possible, but is manifest in multitudes of lives today; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That September 2009 be declared as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” and Honoring

Recovery Month for 20 Years of Excellence and Achievement

; and

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Fred Heard the Executive Director of STOP - Sobriety Through Out-Patient Program, as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

End