HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-08-28 Proclamation (2)PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER SUBSTANCE ABUSE RECOVERY MONTH AND
SUPPORTING BANGOR AREA RECOVERY NETWORK
WHEREAS, the 2016 U.S. Surgeon General's Report: Facing Addiction in America illustrates that substance use problems
remain a major social and economic problem in the United States, punctuated during the past five years with
dramatic increases in deaths related to opioid overdose;
WHEREAS, the Surgeon General's report acknowledges that the costs related to alcohol misuse and abuse is 27% higher
than all other drugs combined;
WHEREAS, in 2015 substance use disorders affected 20.8 million Americans—almost 8 percent of the adolescent and adult
population - and more than 1.5 times the annual prevalence of all cancers combined (14 million), with roughly
one in seven people in the United States (14.6 percent of the population) expected to develop a substance use
disorder at some point in their lives;
WHEREAS, the annual economic impact of substance use and substance use disorders is estimated at a staggering rate of
$442 billion, or $1,376 for every man, woman, and child in the United States;
WHEREAS, despite these enormous costs, stigma is the biggest barrier to effective policy, service delivery and community
support for both those afflicted and affected;
WHEREAS, substance use prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery services are proven to be effective and
bringing a tremendous return on investment, with the Surgeon General's Report acknowledging the
importance of recovery support services;
WHEREAS, supported scientific evidence indicates that approximately 50 percent of adults who once met diagnostic
criteria for a substance use disorder—or about 25 million people—are currently in stable remission (1 year or
longer);
WHEREAS, the Bangor Area Recovery Network (BARN) is known as the leading voice for the recovery community at local,
regional, and state levels;
WHEREAS, the City of Bangor has supported BARN since its inception and BARN has collaborated with the City of Bangor
through its membership on the Bangor Region Public Health Advisory Board and Substance Abuse Task Force;
WHEREAS, the BARN has established a robust community recovery center serving individuals from the greater Bangor
region, with specific outreach to local inmates of the Penobscot County Jail;
WHEREAS, with funding from the Maine Health Access Foundation, the Bangor Health and Community Services
Department is now partnering with BARN to developing a Recovery Coaching Program, the first of its kind in
the region;
WHEREAS, the BARN and other recovery advocates and their allies supports Wellspring, a local treatment and recovery
agency, in the 5K Race for Recovery on September 17 at the Bangor Waterfront;
NOW THEREFORE I, Joseph M. Baldacci, Mayor of the City of Bangor, on behalf of the City Council do hereby proclaim September,
as National Recovery Month in the United States, Recovery Month for the City of Bangor. The City of Bangor celebrates
recovery and supports the mission of the Bangor Area Recovery Network.
Given this 28th day of August 2017.
Joseph M. Baldacci, Mayor