[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 141 (Monday, September 19, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 570--RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE 
          DISORDER TREATMENT AND RECOVERY IN THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. MURPHY (for himself, Mrs. Capito, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Alexander) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 570

       Whereas National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month 
     is observed in September of 2016;
       Whereas, in 2015, an estimated 17,000,000 individuals in 
     the United States were dependent on, or abused, alcohol;
       Whereas substance use disorders are a serious public health 
     threat in the United States, and are associated with--
       (1) mental and physical health conditions;
       (2) lower educational attainment;
       (3) underemployment or unemployment;
       (4) involvement with the criminal justice system;
       (5) victimization and perpetration of violence; and
       (6) homelessness;
       Whereas, in 2014, 9.4 percent of adolescents in the United 
     States used illicit drugs during the month before being 
     surveyed;
       Whereas young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 have 
     higher rates of alcohol dependence and abuse and illicit 
     substance dependence and abuse as compared to other age 
     groups;
       Whereas the rates of alcohol dependence or abuse and 
     illicit substance dependence or abuse are higher among 
     individuals--
       (1) without health insurance;
       (2) living in households with incomes less than 100 percent 
     of the Federal poverty level; and
       (3) living in metropolitan areas;
       Whereas 90 percent of individuals with alcohol dependence 
     or abuse do not receive, or perceive a need for, treatment 
     for their alcohol use;
       Whereas the most recent epidemic of substance use disorders 
     relates to prescription opioids and heroin, and approximately 
     600 individuals begin using heroin each day;
       Whereas overdose deaths from opioids have nearly quadrupled 
     since 1999;
       Whereas drug-related suicide attempts leading to emergency 
     department visits have increased by 51 percent since 2005;
       Whereas 23,500,000 individuals in the United States are in 
     recovery from substance use disorders;
       Whereas the stigma associated with substance use disorders 
     is an additional barrier to people of the United States who 
     strive toward recovery every day;
       Whereas substance use treatment has been shown to be 
     effective in reducing substance use, and can produce positive 
     outcomes for individuals; and
       Whereas there is a nationwide need for--
       (1) increased education regarding substance use;
       (2) increased access to substance use treatment; and
       (3) increased attention to reducing substance use stigma: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the importance of National Alcohol and Drug 
     Addiction Recovery Month;
       (2) affirms the continued need of the United States to 
     provide resources for substance use education, treatment, and 
     research; and
       (3) honors the significant achievements of people of the 
     United States who are in recovery from substance use 
     disorders.

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