[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 120, 109th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

120 STAT. 3872
 
PROCLAMATION 8042--AUG. 25, 2006



Proclamation 8042 of August 25, 2006
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2006
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Alcohol and drug abuse disrupts families, threatens the safety of our
neighborhoods, and ruins the lives of countless men, women, and youth.
During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we recognize
the damaging effects of substance abuse and renew our support for
individuals battling to overcome addiction. The theme for 2006, ``Join
the Voices for Recovery: Build a Stronger, Healthier Community,'' urges
all Americans to help prevent alcohol and drug abuse and to promote
treatment and recovery options.
While drug use among youth is down since 2001, we must continue our
efforts to help our next generation avoid substance abuse. This work
begins with understanding that youth are less likely to engage in risky
behaviors when they are connected to strong families and communities. To
assist our children in learning to make healthy choices, the Helping
America's Youth initiative, led by First Lady Laura Bush, is encouraging
local partnerships that empower families, schools, and communities to
help our young people reach their full potential.
In order to effectively battle alcohol and drug addiction, we must
ensure that Americans in need can readily access services and programs.
Over the past 3 years, my Administration has provided nearly $300
million for the Access to Recovery program so that individuals who
desire treatment have the ability to seek the form of treatment most
suitable for their needs, including assistance from faith-based and
community providers. My fiscal year 2007 budget proposes to build upon
the success of this initiative by providing $98 million to further
expand individual choice.
My Administration is also committed to protecting our citizens and our
young people from the scourge of methamphetamine. This substance is
highly addictive and is a continuing and devastating threat in too many
communities across our Nation. While the number of teens who have ever
tried this deadly drug has decreased since 2001, we remain focused on
keeping methamphetamine from reaching more Americans. Through the Access
to Recovery program, $25 million will be targeted in fiscal year 2007 to
help individuals recover from methamphetamine abuse. Additionally,
earlier this year I signed into law the USA PATRIOT Improvement and
Reauthorization Act of 2005, which increases penalties for smuggling and
selling methamphetamine and introduces commonsense safeguards to make
many of the ingredients used in manufacturing it harder to obtain and
easier to track.
These efforts are helping in the fight against substance abuse in
America, yet government action is not the only answer. We are making
progress because there are millions of our fellow citizens answering the
universal call to love a neighbor. To find out how to join the armies of
compassion and be a part of building a stronger, healthier community,
interested volunteers should visit recoverymonth.gov and
usafreedomcorps.gov. By working together, we can make a difference

[[Page 3873]]
120 STAT. 3873

in the life of someone in need and help fulfill the promise of a more
hopeful tomorrow for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 2006 as National
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon the people of the
United States to observe this month with appropriate programs and
activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
first.
GEORGE W. BUSH