September is National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT). This public health campaign is designed to highlight the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment and to promote the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is possible. This year's theme is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery."

Community prevention leaders and coalitions can play a powerful role in educating the public that recovery is real and treatment is worth it! To help communities plan a Recovery Month activity, SAMHSA and its partners have developed the Recovery Month Planning Kit, available now at: http://www.recoverymonth.gov/2009/kit/resources/building_community_coalitions.aspx. The kit provides ways to raise awareness about Recovery Month and materials to help plan Recovery Month activities.

Whether it's hosting a community event or launching a media campaign, there are a number of ways to participate in Recovery Month. One way to increase awareness about Recovery Month is by getting local officials to sign proclamations declaring September as Recovery Month. When local officials publicly sign such a statement, public attention is drawn to Recovery Month events and activities, and the community as a whole recognizes that local governments are committed to improving citizens' access to treatment programs for alcohol and drug use disorders. Proclamations can be issued by governors, state legislatures, municipalities, counties, cities, or towns.

To view sample proclamations, visit www.recoverymonth.gov/2008/proclamations.aspx.