[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 195 (Friday, October 7, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 62293-62294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26148]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 195 / Friday, October 7, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 62293]]


                Proclamation 8728 of October 3, 2011

                
National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                By providing strong support systems for our loved ones, 
                and by talking with our children about the dangers of 
                alcohol and other drugs, we can increase their chances 
                of living long, healthy, and productive lives. During 
                National Substance Abuse Prevention Month, we celebrate 
                those dedicated to prevention efforts, and we renew our 
                commitment to the well-being of all Americans.

                The damage done by drugs is felt far beyond the 
                millions of Americans with diagnosable substance abuse 
                or dependence problems--countless families and 
                communities also live with the pain and heartbreak it 
                causes. Relationships are destroyed, crime and violence 
                blight communities, and dreams are shattered. Substance 
                abuse touches every sector of our society, straining 
                our health care and criminal justice systems.

                For all these reasons, my Administration has made 
                prevention a central component of our National Drug 
                Control Strategy, and we have developed the first-ever 
                National Prevention Strategy. These strategies, 
                inspired by the thousands of drug-free coalitions 
                across our country, recognize the power of community-
                based prevention organizations, and suggest that 
                prevention activities are most effective when informed 
                by science, driven by State and local partnerships, and 
                tuned to the specific needs of a community.

                By investing in evidence-based prevention, we can also 
                decrease emergency room visits and lower rates of 
                chronic disease, easing the burden on America's health 
                care system. We can improve student achievement and 
                workforce readiness. Most importantly, we must continue 
                to support the efforts of parents and guardians, our 
                children's first teachers and role models, whose 
                positive influence is the most effective deterrent to 
                alcohol and other drug use and the strongest influence 
                for making health choices.

                Through national collaboration, community programs, and 
                the help of engaged youth, parents, guardians, 
                educators, law enforcement officers, clergy, and 
                others, we can build a stronger, healthier America. 
                This month and throughout the year, let us teach our 
                Nation's young people to tackle life's challenges with 
                resilience, hope, and determination.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim October 2011 as 
                National Substance Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon 
                all Americans to engage in appropriate programs and 
                activities to promote comprehensive substance abuse 
                prevention efforts within their communities.

[[Page 62294]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                third day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-26148
Filed 10-6-11; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P