III

106TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. RES. 351

To designate the month of September of 2000, as ‘‘National Alcohol and

Drug Addiction Recovery Month’’.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2000

Mr. WELLSTONE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the

Committee on the Judiciary

RESOLUTION

To designate the month of September of 2000, as ‘‘National

Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month’’.

Whereas alcohol and drug addiction is a devastating disease

that can destroy lives, families, and communities;

Whereas the direct and indirect costs of alcohol and drug addiction cost the United States more than

$246,000,000,000 each year;

Whereas scientific evidence demonstrates the crucial role that

treatment plays in restoring those suffering from alcohol

and drug addiction to more productive lives;

Whereas in 1999, research at the National Institute on Drug

Abuse at the National Institutes of Health showed that

although there were improvements in some areas, the use

of certain illicit drugs among our 13–18 year old children
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•SRES 351 IS

has increased significantly, particularly in the use of alcohol, Ecstasy, anabolic-androgenic steroids, and heroin;

Whereas the Director of the Office of National Drug Control

Policy has recognized that the number 1 priority for the

Nation’s National Drug Control Strategy is to educate

and enable America’s youth to reject illegal drugs as well

as alcohol and tobacco;

Whereas the severe lack of availability and coverage for addiction treatment is evidenced by the Hay Group Report

showing that the value of substance abuse treatment benefits decreased by 74.5 percent from 1988 through 1998;

Whereas the Office of National Drug Control Policy recognizes that 80 percent of adolescents needing treatment

are not able to access services either through lack of insurance coverage, or the unavailability of addiction treatment programs or trained providers in their community;

Whereas the lives of children and families are severely affected by alcohol and drug addiction, through the effects

of the disease, and through the neglect, broken relationships, and violence that are so often a part of the disease

of addiction;

Whereas a number of organizations and individuals dedicated

to fighting addiction and promoting treatment and recovery will recognize the month of September of 2000 as

National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month;

Whereas National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery

Month celebrates the tremendous strides taken by individuals who have undergone successful treatment and

recognizes those in the treatment field who have dedicated their lives to helping our young people recover from

addiction;
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•SRES 351 IS

Whereas the 2000 national campaign focuses on supporting

adolescents in addiction treatment and recovery, embraces the theme of ‘‘Recovering Our Future: One Youth

at a Time’’, and seeks to increase awareness about alcohol and drug addiction and to promote treatment and recovery for adolescents and adults; and

Whereas the countless numbers of those who have successfully recovered from addiction are living proof that people

of all races, genders, and ages recover every day from the

disease of alcohol and drug addiction, and now make

positive contributions to their families, workplaces, communities, State, and Nation: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the Senate does hereby designate the

2 month of September of 2000 as ‘‘National Alcohol and

3 Drug Addiction Recovery Month’’.

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