Senate Resolution No. 1945

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 2019 as Recovery Month in the State of New
York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Recovery Month

WHEREAS, National Recovery Month, sponsored by the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a national
observance held every September to educate Americans about substance use
treatment and mental health services which can enable those with mental
and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives; and

WHEREAS, National Recovery Month works to encourage and support new
evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a
strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service
providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in
all its forms possible; and

WHEREAS, Recovery Month began in 1989, as Treatment Works! Month,
which honored the work of substance use treatment professionals in the
field; the observance evolved into National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Recovery Month in 1998, when it expanded to include celebrating the
accomplishment of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders;
the observance evolved once again in 2011, to National Recovery Month to
include mental illness; and

WHEREAS, Now in its 30th year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains
made by those in recovery; and

WHEREAS, Each year, Recovery Month selects a new focus and theme to
spread the message and share the successes of treatment and recovery;
the 2019 Recovery Month observance will focus on community members,
first responders, the healthcare community, and youth and emerging
leaders highlighting the various entities that support recovery within
our society; and

WHEREAS, The 2019 Recovery Month theme, "Join the Voices for
Recovery: Together We Are Stronger," emphasizes the need to share
resources and build networks across the country that support recovery in
all its forms; and

WHEREAS, Recovery Month highlights the achievements of individuals
who have reclaimed their lives in long-term recovery and honors the
treatment and recovery service providers who make recovery possible; and

WHEREAS, Recovery Month also promotes the message that recovery in
all of its forms is possible and 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; and


WHEREAS, Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of
prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental
disorders, celebrates 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 2019 as Recovery Month in the State of New
York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.