Declare Recovery Month Statewide

Senate Resolution No. 1945 BY: Senator HARCKHAM MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2019 as Recovery Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Recovery Month WHEREAS, National Recovery Month, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a national observance held every September to educate Americans about substance use treatment and mental health services which can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives; and WHEREAS, National Recovery Month works to encourage and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the emergence of a strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and community members across the nation who make recovery in all its forms possible; and WHEREAS, Recovery Month began in 1989, as Treatment Works! Month, which honored the work of substance use treatment professionals in the field; the observance evolved into National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in 1998, when it expanded to include celebrating the accomplishment of individuals in recovery from substance use disorders; the observance evolved once again in 2011, to National Recovery Month to include mental illness; and WHEREAS, Now in its 30th year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery; and WHEREAS, Each year, Recovery Month selects a new focus and theme to spread the message and share the successes of treatment and recovery; the 2019 Recovery Month observance will focus on community members, first responders, the healthcare community, and youth and emerging leaders highlighting the various entities that support recovery within our society; and WHEREAS, The 2019 Recovery Month theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger," emphasizes the need to share resources and build networks across the country that support recovery in all its forms; and WHEREAS, Recovery Month highlights the achievements of individuals who have reclaimed their lives in long-term recovery and honors the treatment and recovery service providers who make recovery possible; and WHEREAS, Recovery Month also promotes the message that recovery in all of its forms is possible and encourages citizens to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need; and WHEREAS, The observance of Recovery Month emphasizes that while the road to recovery may be difficult, the benefits of preventing and over-coming behavioral health conditions are significant and valuable to individuals, families, and communities; and WHEREAS, Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use and mental disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible and spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, to proclaim September 2019 as Recovery Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.