[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 61973-61974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21750]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 174 / Thursday, September 8, 2016 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 61973]]

                Proclamation 9479 of August 31, 2016

                
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery 
                Month, 2016

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Every day, millions of Americans prove that recovery 
                from alcohol and substance use disorders is possible--
                yet at the same time, millions more are struggling with 
                the disease of addiction. These individuals are our 
                family members, friends, and neighbors, and when they 
                are not able to get the help they need, our communities 
                and our country are not as strong as they can be. It is 
                up to all of us to help our loved ones seek life-saving 
                services when needed and steer them toward recovery. 
                Throughout this month, we celebrate the successes of 
                all those who know the transformative power of 
                recovery, and we renew our commitment to providing the 
                support, care, and treatment that people need to forge 
                a healthier life.

                Substance use disorder, commonly known as addiction, is 
                a disease of the brain, and many misconceptions 
                surrounding it have contributed to harmful stigmas that 
                can prevent individuals from seeking the treatment they 
                need. By treating substance use disorders as seriously 
                as other medical conditions, with an emphasis on 
                prevention and treatment, people can recover. This 
                month's theme is, ``Join the Voices for Recovery: Our 
                Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery!''. Focusing on the 
                importance of family support throughout recovery, it 
                invites families, loved ones, and other individuals to 
                share their stories and triumphs in fighting substance 
                use disorders to inspire others that may follow in 
                their footsteps. I encourage all Americans looking for 
                assistance to use the ``Treatment Locator'' tool at 
                www.SAMHSA.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP.

                This disease can touch any American in any community, 
                and my Administration has made combatting substance use 
                disorders a priority. Under the Affordable Care Act, 
                insurance companies must now cover substance use 
                disorder services as essential health benefits. The 
                Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires 
                health plans that cover mental health and substance use 
                disorder treatment to provide coverage that is 
                comparable to that of medical and surgical care. 
                Through our National Drug Control Strategy--a 21st 
                century approach to reducing drug use and its 
                consequences--we have promoted evidence-based health 
                and safety initiatives that aim to prevent drug use, 
                increase opportunities for early intervention and 
                integrated treatment in health care, and support 
                recovery. In response to our Nation's opioid overdose 
                epidemic, we are highlighting tools that can help 
                reduce drug use and overdose, such as evidence-based 
                prevention programs, prescription drug take-back 
                events, medication-assisted treatment for people with 
                opioid use disorders, and the overdose reversal drug 
                naloxone. That is why, in my most recent budget 
                proposal, I proposed investing $1 billion to expand 
                access to treatment for prescription opioid misuse and 
                heroin use. I will continue urging the Congress to fund 
                treatment like I have proposed--because if they fund 
                these efforts, we can help more individuals across our 
                country seek help, complete treatment, and sustain 
                recovery.

                During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery 
                Month, let us thank health care professionals, support 
                groups, and all those dedicated to helping individuals 
                in need find assistance and reclaim their lives. Let us 
                continue

[[Page 61974]]

                working to address substance use disorders in our 
                communities and promote the health, safety, and 
                prosperity of the American people.

                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 September 2016 as 
                National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I 
                call upon the people of the United States to observe 
                this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
                activities.

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

[FR Doc. 2016-21750
Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P