[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9005--AUG. 30, 2013

Proclamation 9005 of August 30, 2013
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Each day, millions of Americans take courageous steps toward recovery
from alcohol and drug addiction. Their examples reveal the
transformative power of recovery, and their stories provide hope to
those struggling to break free from addiction. During National Alcohol
and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we celebrate their strength,
challenge the stigmas that stand as barriers to recovery, and encourage
those needing help to seek it.



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This year's theme, ``Together on Pathways to Wellness'' encourages all
Americans to walk alongside family, friends, and neighbors who are
fighting to overcome addiction. My Administration is proud to advance
evidence-based approaches to recovery--approaches that view addiction as
a preventable, treatable disease of the brain. The 2013 National Drug
Control Strategy builds on our work over the past 4 years, increasing
access to treatment and recovery services, and supporting early
intervention to address substance abuse in schools, on college campuses,
and in the workplace. And to give more Americans a chance to enter
recovery, the Affordable Care Act expands mental health and substance
use disorder benefits and Federal parity protections for millions of
Americans. Thanks to this law, insurance companies must cover treatment
for substance use disorders as they would any other chronic disease.
Alcohol and drug addiction remains a serious challenge in our country,
but with support from loved ones and allies, Americans seeking help make
steady progress each day. As we observe National Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Recovery Month, let us unite to prevent addiction, give hope
to everyone still struggling with this disease, and celebrate all those
moving along the life-saving path to recovery.
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 2013 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 thirtieth day of
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA