[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 46 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Pages 1631-1632]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7496--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 
2001

November 9, 2001

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Alcohol and drug addiction exacts a devastating toll on our Nation. 
Approximately 14 million adults are alcoholics or abusers of alcohol, 
and one in four of our children are exposed to alcoholism or alcohol 
abuse in their families before age 18. Three million children between 
the age of 14 and 17 drink regularly and face future problems with 
alcohol. And recent statistics show that more than 14 million Americans 
used illicit drugs last year.
    The costs of these widespread addictions are staggering. More than 
100,000 Americans

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die each year from alcohol-related causes. Recent estimates suggest that 
the abuse of alcohol and drugs costs taxpayers more than $294 billion 
annually in preventable health care costs, extra law enforcement, 
automobile accidents, crime, and lost productivity. Addiction to 
nicotine adds an additional $138 billion to our country's financial 
burden.
    My proposed budget provides assistance to those addicted to drugs. 
My Administration's proposal for enhanced treatment will increase 
funding for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and 
the National Institute on Drug Abuse and provides $111 million of 
additional funding to increase access to substance abuse treatment. The 
budget includes $74 million for the Residential Substance Abuse 
Treatment program, which provides formula grants supporting drug and 
alcohol treatment in State and local correctional facilities. This 
initiative is evidence-based and requires real accountability from 
recipients.
    Scientific research also holds a great deal of promise in treating 
drug and alcohol addiction. Publicly funded biomedical research, 
supported by the National Institutes of Health, plays an important role 
in finding effective means of preventing and treating these disorders. 
These research efforts allow scientists to target optimal points for 
intervention. Through Federally supported clinical trials, new 
treatments can be developed for communities in need across our country.
    Alcohol and drug addiction destroys lives and threatens the well-
being of our country, and we must address it with concerted, sustained, 
and purposeful strategies. If we focus more of our Nation's attention, 
energy, and resources on fighting these addictions, we will rescue lives 
and restore hope.
    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 November 2001, as National 
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Prevention Month. I call upon all public 
officials and 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 ninth day of 
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
sixth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:34 a.m., November 14, 
2001]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on 
November 15. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.