Proclaiming September 2012 as "National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month" and encouraging participation in promoting the societal benefits of alcohol and drug use disorder treatment, applauding the contributions of treatment providers and promoting the message that recovery from alcohol and drug use disorders in all its forms is possible.

WHEREAS, According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, effective addiction treatment has been shown to decrease an individual's future drug use and drug-related criminal behavior, improve family relationships, and increase prospects for employment; and

WHEREAS, 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, Approximately 20% of armed service members receive some sort of counseling and effective addiction treatment is an important part of any program serving our returning veterans for assimilating them back into our communities; and

WHEREAS, Over 6 million children in America live with at least one parent who has a drug addiction; and

WHEREAS, Since 1980, the number of deaths related to drug overdoses has risen over 540 percent; and

WHEREAS, Each year, drug abuse and drug addiction cost employers over 122 billion dollars in lost productivity time and another 15 billion dollars in health insurance costs; and

WHEREAS, Drug abuse and addiction have negative consequences for individuals and for society. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, estimates of the total overall costs of substance abuse in the United States, including productivity and health- and crime-related costs, exceed $600 billion annually. This number does not even describe the breadth of destructive public health and safety implications of drug abuse and addiction, such as family disintegration, loss of employment, failure in school, domestic violence, and child abuse; and

WHEREAS, PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization — Achieving Community Together) honors Recovery Month with its annual “Recovery Walks” to celebrate recovery in the five-county area. The purpose of the PRO-ACT Recovery Walks! is to raise awareness that drug and alcohol addiction is a public health concern; overcome stigma; put a positive face on recovery; provide hope that people do recover; honor the people and organizations that provide services for the recovery community; show solidarity; and honor those who have not survived this disease; now therefore

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That it hereby declares September 2012 as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month” 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.

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That

an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to

PRO-ACT (Pennsylvania Recovery Organization — Achieving Community Together) as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.

End