LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim April 2016, as Alcohol Awareness Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious health issues that affect the lives of citizens of
New York State; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016, as Alcohol Awareness Month in
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Founded and sponsored by NCADD, Alcohol Awareness Month was
established in 1987 to help reduce the stigma so often associated with
alcoholism by encouraging communities to reach out to the American
public each April with information about alcohol, alcoholism and recov-
ery; and
WHEREAS, Alcoholism is a chronic, progressive disease, genetically
predisposed and fatal if untreated; however, people can and do recover;
it is estimated that as many as 20 million individuals and family
members are living lives in recovery; and
WHEREAS, Alcohol Awareness Month provides a focused opportunity across
America to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism, its caus-
es, effective treatment and recovery; and
WHEREAS, It is an opportunity to decrease stigma and misunderstandings
in order to dismantle the barriers to treatment and recovery, and thus,
make seeking help more readily available to those who suffer from this
disease; and
WHEREAS, Each April, NCADD's National Network of Affiliates and other
supporting organizations across the country will use this opportunity to
address the Nation's No.1 public health problem through a broad range of
media strategies, awareness campaigns, programs and events in their
local communities; and
WHEREAS, An integral part of NCADD Alcohol Awareness Month is Alco-
hol-Free Weekend, which takes place on the first weekend of April to
raise public awareness about the use of alcohol and how it may be
affecting individuals, families, businesses and our communities; and
WHEREAS, During Alcohol-Free Weekend, NCADD extends an open invitation
to all Americans to engage in three alcohol-free days; those individuals
or families who experience difficulty or discomfort in this 72-hour
experiment are urged to contact local NCADD affiliates, Alcoholics Anon-
ymous (AA) and Al-Anon to learn more about alcoholism and its early
symptoms; and
WHEREAS, Alcoholism is a preventable, treatable disease; alcoholic-re-
lated problems are not likely to be reduced by strategies involving
single interventions directed solely at the individual; economic, poli-
tical, social, and environmental forces that work together to encourage
and perpetuate these problems must be addressed; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at the
local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2016, as Alcohol
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.