Reps. Shackleton, Accavitti, Adamini, Anderson, Bieda, Brown, Byrum, Caswell, Caul, Clack, Condino, Dennis, DeRossett, Ehardt, Farrah, Gillard, Hopgood, Jamnick, Kooiman, Law, Lipsey, Meyer, Minore, Murphy, Nitz, Pappageorge, Richardville, Rocca, Sak, Shaffer, Shulman, Spade, Stallworth, Tobocman, Vagnozzi, Vander Veen, Wojno and Zelenko offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 315.

A resolution proclaiming September 2004 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Problems with drugs and alcohol continue to be prevalent in every state in the nation, but there is hope that the tide can turn if more people with alcohol and drug disorders are given access to treatment.  We now know that alcohol and drug disorders are chronic but treatable diseases that involve brain chemistry, just as diabetes and heart disease are chronic but treatable medical conditions; and

            Whereas, Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is possible and treatment is effective.  People in recovery can and do become gainfully employed, own homes, and rejoin their families and their communities.  Our community salutes those in our neighborhoods who are in recovery and the counseling and program staff, who brought them out of the darkness; and

            Whereas, We salute people who are in recovery from alcohol and drug disorders, as well as, those who have helped them obtain treatment.  We also salute those individuals who help to overcome such barriers by educating the community about the benefits of treatment.  We affirm the goal that all people with alcohol and drug use disorders should have access to treatment services; and

            Whereas, To help achieve this goal, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, American Indian Substance Abuse, and the Michigan House of Representatives invite all Michigan residents to participate in National Alcohol and Drug Addition Recover Month.; now therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body proclaim the month of September 2004 as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the state of Michigan.