WHEREAS, treatment and recovery improve the community's welfare and provide a renewed outlook on life for those who struggle with substance use disorders and their families and friends; and

WHEREAS, more than 583,000 adults and 59,000 adolescents needed and did not receive treatment for a substance abuse disorder in North Carolina in 2007; and

WHEREAS, national studies have indicated that 8.9 percent of people who made an effort to get treatment, but did not receive it, were concerned that receiving treatment might cause neighbors and community members to have a negative opinion of them, although many say that they would not have a negative opinion of a relative or friend in recovery from an addiction; and

WHEREAS, resources exist online and in our communities to increase people's awareness about how substance disorders affect children, families, and our society; and

WHEREAS, studies have consistently found that individualized treatment is essential for people to be successful on their path to recovery; and

WHEREAS, real stories of long-term recovery can inspire others to ask for help and improve their own lives, the lives of their families, and the entire community; and

WHEREAS, it is critical that we educate our community members that substance use disorders are treatable, yet serious health care problems, and by treating them like other chronic diseases, we can improve the quality of life for the entire community; and

WHEREAS, September 2009 marks the 20th Anniversary of Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September 2009, as NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH in North Carolina and call upon the people of North Carolina to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.

BEVERLY EAVES PERDUE

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this fourth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.