House Resolution 115, 111th Congress – 4/09

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 30, 2009

Mrs. BONO MACK (for herself and Mr. PATRICK  KENNEDY) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Supporting the awareness of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month Resolution.

Whereas, according to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only 2,400,000 of the more than 22,000,000 Americans who are dependent on drugs received treatment in 2007;

Whereas the economic cost of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse in the United States is nearly $500,000,000,000, and impacts 100,000,000 people’s lives, either directly or indirectly;

Whereas, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Principles of Effective Treatment published in 2000, drug treatment reduces drug use by 40 to 60 percent, can reduce criminal activity by 40 to 50 percent, and improves employment prospects by 40 percent;

Whereas the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health states that non-medical use of prescription pain relievers was the category with the larger number of new initiates and their use ranks second only to marijuana as the most prevalent category of drug abuse;

Whereas, according to the Faces and Voices of Recovery 2004 survey of the general public on Addiction and Recovery, 63 percent of Americans report that addiction to drugs or alcohol has impacted their life, with 38 percent reporting that addiction has greatly impacted their life;

Whereas the 2001 Face of Recovery Survey among the Recovery Community states that significant barriers to recovery include shame and embarrassment (40 percent), cost of treatment and lack of insurance (27 percent), fear of being fired (19 percent), and lack of treatment programs (11 percent);

Whereas almost half of American adults know someone in recovery from alcohol or drug abuse;

Whereas, according to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America’s 2007 Parent Attitude Tracking Study Sponsored by the MetLife Foundation, nearly 80 percent of Americans believe that drug addiction is a disease and more than three quarters think that treatment will help most people with an alcohol or drug addiction to get well;

Whereas, according to the 2000 National Institute on Drug Abuse, Principles of Effective Treatment, every dollar invested in treatment for addiction yields a return of $4 to $7 in reduced drug-related crime and costs;

Whereas the 2008 National Study of Public Attitudes toward Addiction by the Hazelden Foundation states that 77 percent of Americans believe that the disease of addiction should be addressed in health care reform legislation and 71 percent believe that health insurance should cover addiction treatment; and

Whereas alcohol and drug addiction is a chronic disease for which there are effective community-based prevention and wellness programs, strategies, and activities: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress—

(1) supports the observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in order to bring awareness to the effects of prevention, research, law enforcement, and treatment of alcohol and substance abuse;

(2) recognizes and applauds the Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America for working to raise awareness about the importance of recovery in communities throughout the Nation by hosting the Recovery Month Luncheon for hundreds of people from across the country;

(3) recognizes and applauds the many national and community organizations for their work in promoting awareness of treatment options and those using and affected by drug abuse; and

(4) urges organizations to work collaboratively with the education, law enforcement, research, and treatment community to implement new programs to treat the evolving drug abuse trends including the resources available for parents on drugfree.org and the promotion of community coalitions to encourage more drug-free communities.