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03/29/2024 01:09 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20210&cosponId=36031
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: July 30, 2021 09:13 AM
From: Senator Camera Bartolotta
To: All Senate members
Subject: Recovery Month Resolution - September 2021
 
In the near future, I will introduce a resolution designating September 2021 as “Recovery Month” in Pennsylvania in order to raise awareness and understanding of mental illness and substance use disorders.   
 
According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, it is estimated that 758,000 Pennsylvanians are living with a substance use disorder. The number of people receiving treatment for a substance use disorder has increased by 12 percent over the last five years.
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the unique challenges for those with substance use disorders and in recovery, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting an increase in overdose deaths by 16 percent in 2020. This data also shows there were nearly 5,200 overdose deaths in Pennsylvania last year.   
 
These alarming statistics show the need for awareness is greater now than ever before. Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment and recovery; acknowledges those in recovery; lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers; and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Instead of reflecting on the catastrophic toll taken by this epidemic, it is important we honor all of those individuals who have achieved and sustained recovery. Together, we need to encourage those with mental illness and substance use issues to take preventive steps, to be alert to warning signs and to seek appropriate treatment and recovery support services.
 
Please join me to cosponsor this resolution and to help spread the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective and individuals can and do recover.
 
 



Introduced as SR165