[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 105 (Monday, September 11, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8344-S8345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 351--TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER OF 2000, AS 
         ``NATIONAL ALCOHOL AND DRUG ADDICTION RECOVERY MONTH''

  Mr. WELLSTONE submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 351

       Whereas alcohol and drug addiction is a devastating disease 
     that can destroy lives, families, and communities;
       Whereas the direct and indirect costs of alcohol and drug 
     addiction cost the United States more than $246,000,000,000 
     each year;
       Whereas scientific evidence demonstrates the crucial role 
     that treatment plays in restoring those suffering from 
     alcohol and drug addiction to more productive lives;
       Whereas in 1999, research at the National Institute on Drug 
     Abuse at the National Institutes of Health showed that 
     although there were improvements in some areas, the use of 
     certain illicit drugs among our 13-18 year old children has 
     increased significantly, particularly in the use of alcohol, 
     Ecstasy, anabolic-androgenic steroids, and heroin;
       Whereas the Director of the Office of National Drug Control 
     Policy has recognized that the number 1 priority for the 
     Nation's National Drug Control Strategy is to educate and 
     enable America's youth to reject illegal drugs as well as 
     alcohol and tobacco;
       Whereas the severe lack of availability and coverage for 
     addiction treatment is evidenced by the Hay Group Report 
     showing that the value of substance abuse treatment benefits 
     decreased by 74.5 percent from 1988 through 1998;
       Whereas the Office of National Drug Control Policy 
     recognizes that 80 percent of adolescents needing treatment 
     are not able to access services either through lack of 
     insurance coverage, or the unavailability of addiction 
     treatment programs or trained providers in their community;
       Whereas the lives of children and families are severely 
     affected by alcohol and drug addiction, through the effects 
     of the disease, and through the neglect, broken 
     relationships, and violence that are so often a part of the 
     disease of addiction;
       Whereas a number of organizations and individuals dedicated 
     to fighting addiction and promoting treatment and recovery 
     will recognize the month of September of 2000 as National 
     Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month;
       Whereas National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 
     celebrates the tremendous strides taken by individuals who 
     have undergone successful treatment and recognizes those in 
     the treatment field who have dedicated their lives to helping 
     our young people recover from addiction;
       Whereas the 2000 national campaign focuses on supporting 
     adolescents in addiction treatment and recovery, embraces the 
     theme of ``Recovering Our Future: One Youth at a Time'', and 
     seeks to increase awareness about alcohol and drug addiction 
     and to promote treatment and recovery for adolescents and 
     adults; and
       Whereas the countless numbers of those who have 
     successfully recovered from addiction are living proof that 
     people of all races, genders, and ages recover every day from 
     the disease of alcohol and drug addiction, and now make 
     positive contributions to their families, workplaces, 
     communities, State, and Nation: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate does hereby designates the month 
     of September of 2000 as ``National Alcohol and Drug Addiction 
     Recover Month''.

  Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
that I will soon send to the desk to proclaim September, 2000, as 
``National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month,'' and to 
recognize the Administration, government agencies, and the many groups 
supporting this effort highlighting the critical need to support our 
children and adolescents in addiction treatment and recovery. The Year 
2000 Recovery Month theme is ``Recovering Our Future: One Youth at a 
Time,'' with a clear message that we need to increase awareness about 
alcohol and drug addiction and to promote treatment and recovery for 
our youth.
  Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that many individuals 
face as a painful, private struggle, often without access to treatment 
or medical care. But this disease also has staggering public costs. A 
1998 report prepared by The Lewin Group for the National Institute on 
Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 
estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to be 
approximately $264 billion for 1992. Of this cost, an estimated $98 
billion was due to addiction to illicit drugs and other drugs taken for 
non-medical purposes. This estimate includes addiction treatment and 
prevention costs, as well as costs associated with related illnesses, 
reduced job productivity or lost earnings, and other costs to society 
such as crime and social welfare programs.
  Adults and children who have the disease of addiction can be found 
throughout our society. We know from the outstanding research done at 
the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of 
Health that although there were improvements in 1999 in some areas of 
drug use, the use of illicit drugs among our 13-18 year old children 
has increased significantly, particularly in the use of alcohol, 
Ecstasy, anabolic-androgenic

[[Page S8345]]

steroids, and heroin. More than half of our nation's 12th graders 
reported that they have tried an illicit drug, and more than one-
quarter have tried a drug other than marijuana. And, although the 
consumption of alcohol is illegal for those under 21 years of age, more 
than 10 million current drinkers are age 12 to 20.
  The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) 
has recognized that the number one priority for the nation's National 
Drug Control Strategy is to educate and enable America's youth to 
reject illegal drugs as well as alcohol and tobacco. And yet, 80% of 
adolescents needing treatment are unable to access services because of 
the severe lack of coverage for addiction treatment or the 
unavailability of treatment programs or trained health care providers 
in their community. The 1998 Hay Group Report revealed that the overall 
value of substance abuse treatment benefits has decreased by 74.5% from 
1988 through 1998, leaving our youth without sufficient medical care 
for this disease when they are most vulnerable.
  We know that addiction to alcohol and other drugs contribute to other 
problems as well. Addictive substances have the potential for 
destroying the person who is addicted, as well as his or her family. We 
know, for example, that fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading known 
cause of mental retardation. If a woman who was addicted to alcohol 
could receive proper treatment, fetal alcohol syndrome for her baby 
would be 100 percent preventable, and more than 12,000 infants born in 
the U.S. each year would not suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome, with 
its irreversible physical and mental damage.
  We know too of the devastation caused by addiction when violence 
between people is one of the consequences. A 1998 SAMHSA report 
outlined the links between domestic violence and substance abuse. We 
know from clinical reports that 25-50% of men who commit acts of 
domestic violence also have substance abuse problems. The report 
recognized the link between the victim of abuse and use of alcohol and 
drugs, and recommended that after the woman's safety has been 
addressed, the next step would be to help with providing treatment for 
her addiction as a step toward independence and health, and toward the 
prevention of the consequences for the children who suffer the same 
abuse either directly, or indirectly by witnessing spousal violence.
  The physical, emotional, and social harm caused by this disease is 
both preventable and treatable. We know from the outstanding research 
conducted at NIH, through the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the 
National Institute on Alcoholism, that treatment for drug and alcohol 
addiction can be effective. The effectiveness of treatment is the major 
finding from a NIDA-sponsored nationwide study of drug abuse treatment 
outcomes. The Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS) tracked 10,000 
people in nearly 100 treatment programs in 11 cities who entered 
treatment for addiction between 1991 and 1993. Results showed that for 
all four treatment types studied, there were significant reductions in 
drug use after treatment. Moreover, treatment resulted in other 
positive changes in behavior, such as fewer psychological symptoms and 
increased work productivity.
  Addiction to alcohol and drugs is a disease that affects the brain, 
the body, and the spirit. We must provide adequate opportunities for 
the treatment of addiction in order to help those who are suffering and 
to prevent the health and social problems that it causes, and we know 
that the costs to do so are very low. A 1999 study by the Rand 
Corporation found that the cost to managed care health plans is now 
only about $5 per person per year for unlimited substance abuse 
treatment benefits to employees of big companies. A 1997 Milliman and 
Robertson study found that complete substance abuse treatment parity 
would increase per capita health insurance premiums by only one half of 
one percent, or less than $1 per member per month--without even 
considering any of the obvious savings that will result from treatment. 
Several studies have shown that for every $1 spent on treatment, more 
than $7 is saved in other health care expenses. These savings are in 
addition to the financial and other benefits of increased productivity, 
as well as participation in family and community life. Providing 
treatment for addiction also saves millions of dollars in the criminal 
justice system. But for treatment to be effective and helpful 
throughout our society all systems of care--including private insurance 
plans--must share this responsibility.
  The National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the year 
2000 celebrates the tremendous strides taken by individuals who have 
undergone successful treatment and recognizes those in the treatment 
field who have dedicated their lives to helping our young people 
recover from addiction. Many individuals, families, organizations, and 
communities give generously of their time and expertise to help those 
suffering from addiction and to help them to achieve recovery and 
productive, healthy lives. The Recovery Month events being planned 
throughout our nation, including one in St. Paul, Minnesota, on 
September 18, will recognize the countless numbers of those who have 
successfully recovered from addiction and who are living proof that 
people of all races, genders, and ages recover every day from the 
disease of alcohol and drug addiction, and now make positive 
contributions to their families, workplaces, communities, state, and 
nation.
  I urge the Senate to adopt this resolution designating the month of 
September, 2000, as Recover Month, and to take part in the many local 
and national activities and events recognizing this effort.

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