[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 34 (Monday, August 28, 2006)]
[Pages 1507-1508]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8042--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 
2006

August 25, 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 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

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:10 a.m., August 29, 
2006]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
August 30.

[[Page 1508]]