Title
To Recognize September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Columbus.
Body
WHEREAS, treatment and recovery improve the community's welfare and provide a renewed outlook on life for those who struggle with substance use disorders and their family and friends; and
WHEREAS, 23.2 million people aged 12 or older in the United States needed treatment for a substance use disorder in 2007, and 5.4 million adults also suffered from a concurrent mental illness; and
WHEREAS, studies have indicated that 8.9 percent of people who made an effort to get treatment, but did not receive it, were concerned that receiving treatment might cause neighbors or community members to have negative opinions of them. However, most say they would not have a negative opinion of a relative or friend in recovery from an addiction; and
WHEREAS, resources exist in our community to increase people's awareness about how substance use disorders affect children, families, and our society; and
WHEREAS, such education is essential to overcoming misconceptions and achieving long-term recovery; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus City Council encourages all residents of Columbus to participate in the 20th anniversary of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That we do hereby recognize September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Columbus and call upon the community to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies supporting this year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal."