LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2014 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 2014 marks the 25th observance of National Recovery
Month and the third 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 2011 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), in
2011, an estimated 22.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were current
(past month) illicit drug users, meaning they has used an illicit drug
during the month prior to the survey interview; and
WHEREAS, This estimate represents 8.7 percent of the population aged
12 or older; and
WHEREAS, Illicit drugs include marijuana/hashish, cocaine (including
crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescriptive-type psychoth-
erapeuticsn (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives)
used nonmedically; 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, the 2014 Recovery Month observance
emphasizes the many ways that people can prevent behavioral health
issues, seek treatment, and sustain recovery as part of a commitment to
living a mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy
life; 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; 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 observance of Recovery Month helps to emphasize the
importance of educating policymakers, health care providers, employers,
and the general public about the role of treatment and recovery support
services; 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 emphasizes that while the
road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and over-
coming 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
.SO DOC A R1394 RESO TEXT 2013
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 2014 as 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.