LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2012 Recovery Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention,
treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders, cele-
brates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and
service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its
forms is possible; Recovery Month spreads the positive message that
behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works,
treatment is effective and people can and do recover; and
WHEREAS, September 2012 marks the 23rd observance of National Recovery
Month and the initial observance of Recovery Month in the State of New
York; and
WHEREAS, The observance celebrates people in recovery and lauds the
work of treatment providers, while emphasizing that behavioral health is
an essential part of health and one's overall wellness; additionally,
Recovery Month exemplifies that all individuals have the fundamental and
inherent value to be accepted and treated with respect, dignity, and
worth and is designed to help people understand that treatment for
mental and substance use disorders is effective and people do recover;
and
WHEREAS, According to the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
(NSDUH), published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 23.5
million persons aged 12 or older needed treatment for an illicit drug or
alcohol use problem (9.3 percent of persons aged 12 or older); also in
2009, there were an estimated 45.1 million adults aged 18 or older in
the United States with a mental illness in the previous year; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month helps to highlight the numerous paths to
recovery and the wide range of services available to people living with
mental and substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month supports many of SAMHSA's Strategic Initi-
atives, particularly the goals of increasing public awareness of mental
and substance use disorders, health reform implementation, and offering
recovery support through an individual, program, and system approach;
and
WHEREAS, Coordinated by SAMHSA, this year's Recovery Month campaign
encourages policymakers, healthcare providers, the recovery community,
friends and family members, and employers to help people seek assistance
for mental and substance use disorders with the same urgency as any
other health care issue; and
WHEREAS, A SAMHSA toolkit is available which provides information on
health reform's impact on access to treatment and recovery support
services; the overall need for prevention, treatment, and recovery from
mental and substance use disorders in today's society; and how to raise
awareness about these services; additionally, it highlights the effec-
tiveness and importance of removing barriers to treatment and recovery
support services; and
WHEREAS, SAMHSA partners with other public entities, national and
local coalitions, and other organizations to develop the Recovery Month
toolkit, public service announcements and events to engage all levels of
government, communities, businesses and society as a whole to create a
system to improve the overall health and well-being of all Americans;
and
WHEREAS, In 2010, more than 1,072 Recovery Month events were held
throughout the country, with an estimated attendance of 3,888,209 indi-
viduals; such community events examine key treatment and recovery-relat-

ed issues in local communities and define specific objectives and action
steps to broaden support and access for individuals in recovery; and
WHEREAS, Each event seeks to unite a range of stakeholders in taking
action, including individuals in the recovery community and their fami-
lies and friends; policymakers and community leaders; judges; insurers;
health professionals; treatment providers; educators/schools; communi-
ty-based and faith-based organizations; the criminal justice system;
diverse racial, ethnic and cultural groups; and members of the media;
and
WHEREAS, Recovery from substance abuse and mental disorders touches
nearly everyone and every community; in 2009, 4.3 million people
received treatment for a substance use disorder and 30.2 million people
for a mental illness; treatment is effective and people recover;
National Recovery Month (Recovery Month), now in its 23rd year, contin-
ues to raise awareness about the important roles prevention, treatment,
and recovery play in improving the lives of millions of Americans; and
WHEREAS, Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, Recovery Month inspires millions of people to become better
educated about recovery; it also encourages individuals to share their
stories of recovery and assist others who are struggling with substance
use and mental disorders; and
WHEREAS, The 2012 campaign emphasizes the importance of educating
policymakers, health care providers, employers, and the general public
about the role of treatment and recovery support services in health
reform; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month is also a reason for people to celebrate; it
honors the millions of people who have sought or are currently seeking
treatment and recovery services for substance use and mental disorders
for themselves or a loved one; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month educates New Yorkers about the fact that
addiction treatment and mental health services can enable those with a
mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding
life and lauds the gains made by those in recovery from these condi-
tions, just as we would commend those who are managing other health
conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease;
and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month, in addition, spreads the positive message
that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works,
treatment is effective, and people can and do recover; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month highlights individuals who have reclaimed
their lives and are living happy and healthy lives in long-term recovery
and also honors the prevention, treatment, and recovery service provid-
ers who make recovery possible; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month promotes the message that recovery in all its
forms is possible and also encourages citizens to take action to help
expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment,
and recovery services for those in need; and
WHEREAS, The observance of Recovery Month 2012 emphasizes that while
the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and
overcoming behavioral health conditions are significant and valuable to
individuals, families, and communities; it has become a year-round
initiative which supports educational outreach and celebratory events
throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention,
treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, cele-
brates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and
service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its

forms is possible and spreads the positive message that behavioral
health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment
is effective and people can and do recover; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, to proclaim September 2012 Recovery 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.