[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 34 (Monday, September 1, 2008)]
[Pages 1159-1160]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8283--National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, 
2008

 August 27, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Substance abuse is an unrelenting evil that destroys lives, ruins 
families, and endangers neighborhoods. During National Alcohol and Drug 
Addiction Recovery Month, we emphasize our commitment to alcohol and 
drug addiction prevention. This month is also an opportunity to 
recognize those who have had the courage to combat and overcome 
addiction.

    Alcohol and drug abuse require an aggressive response. My 
Administration will continue to help educate our children through the 
National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. This Campaign urges parents and 
adults to safeguard our young people from the abuse of prescription 
drugs, focuses on random drug-testing in schools and in the workplace, 
and creates drug-free community coalitions. First Lady Laura Bush leads 
the Helping America's Youth initiative, which assists our youth in 
making healthy life choices through the participation of caring adults 
in their lives. The dedicated efforts of families, teachers, law 
enforcement, faith-based groups, and community activists are all 
important.

    We are also working to reduce the supply of illegal drugs coming 
into our country and fighting demand here at home. In order to disrupt 
the market for illegal drugs, the National Drug Control Strategy report 
has coordinated law enforcement efforts throughout our Nation to help 
dismantle channels of distribution, and we are also working with foreign 
governments to eradicate the trafficking of illegal drugs.

    Too many of our citizens have been swept up in a cycle of addiction. 
Through faith-based and community groups, we have revolutionized the way 
we help people break the chains of addiction. The Access to Recovery 
program provides addicts with vouchers so that they can attend the 
treatment center of their choice. Our Nation's armies of compassion have 
helped nearly 200,000 clients rediscover their dignity and purpose 
through this program.

    During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month and 
throughout the year, we underscore the worthy mission of confronting 
substance abuse. This year's theme, ``Join the Voices of Recovery: Real 
People, Real Recovery,'' highlights the importance of providing hope and 
love to those who are trying to overcome drug and alcohol addiction and 
rebuild their lives. For more information on how to help fellow citizens 
and continue building a stronger community, visit recoverymonth.gov.

     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 2008 as 
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month. I call upon the 
people of the United States to observe this month with the appropriate 
programs, ceremonies, and activities.

     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
third.

                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., August 28, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on August 
29. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language 
version of this proclamation.

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