A resolution proclaiming September 2005 as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

WHEREAS, the acknowledgment of September 2005 as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month offers those involved in substance abuse treatment an opportunity to educate the public, community organizations, public officials, and civic leaders about the effectiveness of treatment, both societal and financial; and

WHEREAS, prevention and treatment help our children succeed in school, provide children with capable and caring parents, and helps thousands of individuals get their lives back through restored health and productivity; and

WHEREAS, substance abuse disorders are a serious and treatable health problem, and as many as half of Americans say that addiction to alcohol or other drugs has had an impact on them at some point in their lives, whether it was the addiction of a friend or family member or another experience, such as their own personal addiction; and

WHEREAS, assessing our citizens' needs for addiction treatment and referring them to appropriate treatment - and their family members to support services - is a crucial first step in helping people realize that recovery is possible and treatment is effective;

WHEREAS, barriers to accessing treatment programs that can help heal livers, families, and our community are a significant problem for our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family members with substance use disorders; and

WHEREAS, celebrating individuals in recovery and their families, and saluting the health care providers who helped them obtain treatment, educates our community about the benefits of treatment and affirms that such providers deserve adequate compensation for their services; and

WHEREAS, thousands of health care providers have dedicated their lives to the recovery process and to the education of the public about alcoholism, drug dependence, co-occurring disorders, and treatment issues; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Center for Substance Abuse Treatment; the Office of National Drug Control Policy; the Tennessee Department of Health; and the Tennessee Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services local members, the Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee, Renewal House, and the Samaritan Recovery Center to invite all residents of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County to participate in National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:

Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby proclaims September 2005 as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and encourages all citizens to support this year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Healing Lives, Families and Communities." by supporting the men, women, and youth who are in alcohol and drug addiction treatment and recovery, and their families.

Section 2. The Metropolitan Council Office is directed to prepare a copy of this resolution to be presented to the Tennessee Association of Alcohol Drug and other Addiction Services.

Section 3. This resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.

Sponsored by: Greg Adkins, Amanda McClendon

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
Referred:	Rules & Confirmations Committee
Introduced:	September 20, 2005
Adopted:	September 20, 2005
Approved:	September 21, 2005
By: