III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 570 

Recognizing the importance of substance use disorder treatment and recovery 

in the United States. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 19, 2016 

Mr. MURPHY (for himself, Mrs. CAPITO, Mrs. MURRAY, and Mr. ALEXANDER) 

submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 

on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the importance of substance use disorder 

treatment and recovery in the United States. 

Whereas National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery 

Month is observed in September of 2016; 

Whereas, in 2015, an estimated 17,000,000 individuals in the 

United States were dependent on, or abused, alcohol; 

Whereas substance use disorders are a serious public health 

threat in the United States, and are associated with— 

(1) mental and physical health conditions; 

(2) lower educational attainment; 

(3) underemployment or unemployment; 

(4) involvement with the criminal justice system; 

(5) victimization and perpetration of violence; and 

(6) homelessness; 


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•SRES 570 IS 

Whereas, in 2014, 9.4 percent of adolescents in the United 

States used illicit drugs during the month before being 

surveyed; 

Whereas young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 have 

higher rates of alcohol dependence and abuse and illicit 

substance dependence and abuse as compared to other 

age groups; 

Whereas the rates of alcohol dependence or abuse and illicit 

substance dependence or abuse are higher among individuals— 

(1) without health insurance; 

(2) living in households with incomes less than 100 

percent of the Federal poverty level; and 

(3) living in metropolitan areas; 

Whereas 90 percent of individuals with alcohol dependence or 

abuse do not receive, or perceive a need for, treatment 

for their alcohol use; 

Whereas the most recent epidemic of substance use disorders 

relates to prescription opioids and heroin, and approximately 600 individuals begin using heroin each day; 

Whereas overdose deaths from opioids have nearly quadrupled since 1999; 

Whereas drug-related suicide attempts leading to emergency 

department visits have increased by 51 percent since 

2005; 

Whereas 23,500,000 individuals in the United States are in 

recovery from substance use disorders; 

Whereas the stigma associated with substance use disorders 

is an additional barrier to people of the United States 

who strive toward recovery every day; 


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•SRES 570 IS 

Whereas substance use treatment has been shown to be effective in reducing substance use, and can produce positive 

outcomes for individuals; and 

Whereas there is a nationwide need for— 

(1) increased education regarding substance use; 

(2) increased access to substance use treatment; and 

(3) increased attention to reducing substance use 

stigma: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the importance of National Alco3 hol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month; 

4 (2) affirms the continued need of the United 

5 States to provide resources for substance use edu6 cation, treatment, and research; and 

7 (3) honors the significant achievements of peo8 ple of the United States who are in recovery from 

9 substance use disorders. 

Æ 


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