Prevention Week

WHEREAS, the theme of 2012’s National Prevention Week is “We are the ones. How are you taking action?” and touches upon small, everyday actions that contribute to healthier and more vibrant communities; and

WHEREAS, this observance is aligned with the National Prevention, Health Promotion and Public Health Council’s National Prevention Strategy, a comprehensive plan that will help increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life; in particular, “We are the ones. How are you taking action?” aligns with two priorities included in the National Prevention Strategy: preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use, and mental and emotional well-being; and

WHEREAS, the National Prevention Strategy is a cross-sector, integrated national strategy that identifies priorities and encourages partnerships to improve the health of Americans through prevention; through these partnerships and the theme “We are the ones. How are you taking action?,” the National Prevention Strategy will improve America’s health by helping to create healthy and safe communities, expand clinical and community-based preventive services, empower people to make healthy choices and eliminate health disparities; and

WHEREAS, excessive alcohol use is a leading cause of preventable death in the United States among all adult age groups, contributing to more than 79,000 deaths per year; six million children (nine percent) live with at least one parent who abuses alcohol or other drugs, and injection drug use accounts for approximately 16 percent of new HIV infections in the U.S.; in a typical month, approximately 5.3 million Americans use a prescription pain reliever for nonmedical reasons; drugs other than alcohol are detected in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths; rates of marijuana use by youth and young adults are on the rise, and fewer youth perceive great risk from smoking marijuana once or twice a week; and

WHEREAS, all people deserve to be accepted, and treated with respect and dignity; the theme “We are the ones. How are you taking action?” allows for equality in all aspects; individuals should have access to participate in community life including economic advancement and prosperity, fair and decent housing, quality education, and positive opportunities to both benefit from and contribute to material, cultural and social progress; and

WHEREAS, it is critical to educate communities, policymakers, friends and family members, health care providers and businesses that substance use disorders and mental illnesses are preventable, and that people should seek assistance for these conditions with the same urgency as they would any other health condition:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama do hereby proclaim the week of May 20 through May 26, 2012, as

Prevention Week

in the state of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 22nd day of May 2012.

      

Governor Robert Bentley