WHEREAS, Research documents the effectiveness of alcohol and other drug abuse treatment and recovery programs; and

WHEREAS, Research study findings indicate that every dollar invested in alcohol and other drug abuse treatment provides substantial financial benefits as a result of reduced crime and reduced need for health care and social services; and

WHEREAS, The State of California cannot address drug and alcohol addiction through incarceration; and

WHEREAS, Drug and alcohol abuse treatment allows families and communities to stay together and provide one another love, support, and guidance for a healthy and sustainable life; and

WHEREAS, Incarceration severs family ties, which exacerbates contributing factors to substance abuse and mental health problems, further straining families and communities; and

WHEREAS, Drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment programs can be a more effective and cost-efficient tool to reduce crime than incarceration; and

WHEREAS, Inmates who receive drug and alcohol abuse treatment in prison and after they are released are 20 percent less likely to recidivate; and

WHEREAS, California’s public alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs serve more than 300,000 individuals each year; and

WHEREAS, Alcohol and other drug abuse treatment improves the health of people during and after care, thereby strengthening families and communities; and

WHEREAS, Drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs in California focused on coping skills, positive alternative activities and community service, and youth involvement projects reach more than one million students statewide; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of thousands of people are living sober, productive lives, and are paying taxes in California as a result of prevention, and treatment and recovery services; and

WHEREAS, The federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has called on people to celebrate National Recovery Month in an effort to strengthen families and communities, and the 2017 theme is “Join The Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities,” encouraging individuals in recovery and their family members to share their personal stories and successes in order to bring light to the possibilities of recovery and inspire others to do so as well; now, therefore, be it