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Official government support of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) in your state, county, and/or city increases the educational impact of your outreach about substance use disorders. The most effective way to involve your local government officials and agencies is to ask them to issue a proclamation designating September as Recovery Month in their jurisdiction.
In the proclamation, highlight the mission of Recovery Month: to improve the lives of those suffering from addiction, to celebrate individuals and families in long-term recovery, and to acknowledge those working in the field who provide recovery services. In addition, your proclamation should emphasize this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!” This theme reminds us that stress in our society may contribute to or exacerbate alcohol and/or drug use, which can lead to a substance use disorder or relapse.
Recovery Month is sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Recovery Month is an essential element of one of SAMHSA’s 10 Strategic Initiatives that focuses on public awareness and support. The goal of this initiative is to increase the understanding of mental and substance use disorder prevention and treatment services to achieve the full potential of prevention, and help people recognize and seek assistance for these health conditions with the same urgency as any other health condition. Adding the support of your local government offices elevates the observance in your community to new heights.
Federal government officials, governors, state legislators, or city, county, and town officials issue proclamations. They simply and effectively demonstrate government support for educating the community about substance use disorders and the need for wide-ranging treatment and recovery support programs.
Proclamation signings have been successful in the past, with hundreds issued in previous years to support Recovery Month. In 2009, there were 206 proclamations issued across the country and posted on the Recovery Month Web site. For nearly 10 years, the President of the United States has signed a proclamation declaring September as Recovery Month, recognizing that addiction to alcohol and/or drugs is a rising public health problem in the United States that needs to be addressed.
This document discusses the different types of proclamations, tips for getting an official to issue a proclamation, and activities to draw attention to the proclamation.
Types of Proclamations
When you write a proclamation, choose from one of two styles, traditional or modern. Traditional proclamations begin with a series of “whereas” clauses, meaning “since” or “because,” which state the problem or issue being addressed. They are followed by a “therefore” statement, which is the specific request for support. Modern proclamations are written in a letter format and also are acceptable.
Samples of both traditional and modern proclamations are included at the end of this document, and past signed proclamations are posted on the Recovery Month Web site at http://www.recoverymonth.gov under the “Proclamations” section. Modify these examples to include details relevant to your community, statistics about substance use disorders, and treatment and recovery resources available in your area.
Developing and Securing Your Recovery Month Proclamation
Take the following steps to secure a government official or agency to sign your proclamation:
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Research local officials and the appropriate staff members to contact in their offices. Consider past supporters of your organization’s efforts and anyone willing to discuss the value of treatment and recovery. These officials should be your first priority to ask for support.
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Contact a member of the official’s communications office three to four months in advance of Recovery Month to determine the process of getting a proclamation signed. Introduce your organization, the details of your Recovery Month activities, and why it is a significant issue in your community. Remember that some officers are not in session during the summer months, so you may need to plan further in advance to have everything squared away for September. Tell the staff member you would like to draft a proclamation for consideration and inquire which style of proclamation he or she prefers.
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Write your proclamation once you have determined the initial interest and proclamation style preference. Prepare your proclamation in advance to make it easier for officials and staff members to focus on your goals.
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Examine relevant background information to help you write the proclamation. Keep this background on hand in case you are asked to provide additional information on the overall treatment and recovery landscape.
Toolkit TipRefer to the “
Overview” document in this toolkit for additional background information.
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Follow up with the official’s office regularly after you have submitted your proclamation to receive status updates and provide additional information if needed.
Publicize Your Proclamation
Once an official or his or her staff decides to issue a Recovery Month proclamation, use the following tips to help publicize it to maximize its effectiveness:
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Organize a press conference where the official proclamation will actually be signed. Work with the official’s communications team to combine efforts and resources, which will allow you to reach a broader audience. Use your media list to invite reporters and remember to bring copies of the proclamation for journalists to reference. Broadcast the event live on your Web site so reporters can still view and write about the event even if they can’t attend in person. Be sure to include a link to the Recovery Month Web site as well.
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Share copies of the signed proclamation with the “local” or “metro” desks of local newspapers, along with a press release announcing that a local official has issued a Recovery Month proclamation. Be sure to scan in the proclamation as a PDF file, so that it can be seen on its original letterhead.
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Post a copy of the proclamation on the Recovery Month Web site, http://www.recoverymonth.gov, and send it electronically to recoverymonth@samhsa.hhs.gov or in hard copy to:
Office of the Director, Consumer Affairs
SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
1 Choke Cherry Road, Second Floor
Rockville, MD 20857
Also, display the proclamation in the lobbies of public places, such as libraries and government buildings. (Obtain permission before displaying these copies.) In addition, inquire about posting a copy of the proclamation on the Web sites of similar public venues.
Share Your Proclamation’s Outcomes and Successes
Promote and share the signed proclamation by:
More Resources on Recovery Month and Substance Use Disorders
The following resources provide additional information about Recovery Month and substance use disorders:
- Substance use, treatment, and recovery information, and treatment referral is available by calling SAMHSA’s 24-hour National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP, or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD), for free and confidential information in English and Spanish, or at SAMHSA’s Web site, http://www.samhsa.gov/treatment.
- All materials from this toolkit and an extensive array of relevant studies and information are available electronically at the Recovery Month Web site, http://www.recoverymonth.gov.
Inclusion of Web sites and event examples in this document and on the Recovery Month Web site does not constitute official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Sample Proclamation 1: Traditional Format
WHEREAS, recovery from substance use disorders is possible through a variety of treatment resources and recovery support programs; and
WHEREAS, thousands of people across the United States are living happy, healthy, and productive lives in recovery; and
WHEREAS, stress can contribute to substance use disorders, and finding a positive outlet for dealing with stress is crucial as people continue to face stressful situations in their lives; and
WHEREAS, nearly half of Americans reported that their stress levels had increased over the past year in 2008, with as many as 30 percent rating their stress levels as extreme (American Psychological Association, Executive Report, October 7, 2008); and
WHEREAS, in 2008, an estimated 23.1 million people of every age, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status needed treatment for substance dependence or abuse in the United States (2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health); and
WHEREAS, substance use disorders are a treatable, yet serious health care problem, and our community must take steps to address it; and
WHEREAS, educating our community about how substance use disorders affect all people in the community, including public safety officials, the workforce, older adults, and families, therefore is essential to combat misconceptions associated with addiction; and
WHEREAS, to help more people enter a path of recovery, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, and [name of state, city, county, or treatment organization] invite all residents of [city/town] to participate in National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month); and
NOW, THEREFORE, I, [name and title of your elected official], by virtue of the authority vested in me by the laws of [city, state, or locality], do hereby proclaim the month of September 2010 as
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
in [city or state] and call upon the people of [city or state] to observe this month with appropriate programs, activities, and ceremonies supporting this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!”
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this [day of month] day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
____________________
Signature
[Insert City/State or Other Official Seal]
Sample Proclamation 2: Modern Format
Thousands of people across the United States are living happy, healthy, and productive lives in recovery from substance use disorders. That is why this year’s National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month) theme is “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!” Even with the promise of treatment and recovery, substance use disorders are a serious health care problem that can be triggered by a variety of external circumstances, including stress. This theme emphasizes how the stress in our society can contribute to addiction in some, and encourages all people to learn about how to help those suffering from addiction live a positive life in recovery. Addressing this problem and finding positive outlets for dealing with stress is now more important than ever, given the increasing amounts of stress in our lives.
In 2008, nearly half of Americans reported their stress levels had increased over the past year, with as many as 30 percent rating their average stress levels as extreme, according to the American Psychological Association. Additionally, an estimated 23.1 million people aged 12 or older in the United States needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol use problem in 2008, with only approximately 1.7 million receiving treatment for alcohol or illicit drug problems, according to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In our community alone, more than [number] of [state/city/town]’s residents suffer from addiction.
Educating our community about substance use disorders is essential to combat the misconceptions associated with addiction. Substance use disorders affect all people of every age, race, gender, ethnicity, community, and socio-economic status, including public safety officials, the workforce, older adults, and families in our community.
For more than 20 years, Recovery Month has worked to improve the lives of those suffering from addiction by raising awareness of the disease and educating communities about the treatment and recovery resources available. For all these reasons, I am asking the citizens of [city or state] to join me in celebrating this September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the White House Office of National Drug Policy, and [the state of (your state) / city (your city) / name of a treatment organization in your community] welcome your participation in Recovery Month.
I, [name and title of elected official], do hereby proclaim the month of September 2010 as
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
In [city or state] and call upon our community to observe this month with compelling programs, activities, and events that support this year’s theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Now More Than Ever!”
____________________
Signature
[Insert City/State or Other Official Seal]
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