Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 103 Part 1.djvu/659

 PUBLIC LAW 101-96 —SEPT. 15.1989 103 STAT. 631 Public Law 101-96 101st Congress Joint Resolution Designating September 1 through 30, 1989 as "National Alcohol and Drug Sept. 15, 1989 Treatment Month". [S.J. Res. 132] Whereas alcohol and other drug abuse and dependence are major public health problems that are preventable and treatable; Whereas the economic costs to society of alcohol and drug abuse in 1983 alone were over $176,000,000,000; Whereas alcohol and drug abuse treatment provides an effective means toward independence from substance dependence and is a necessary element in solving the problems associated with alcohol and other drug abuse; Whereas more than one-third of the families of the Nation are affected by alcoholism and an estimated 10,000,000 Americans are problem drinkers or alcoholics; • Whereas alcohol abuse during pregnancy is one of the leading causes in the Nation of mental retardation in infants and is the only preventable cause; Whereas over 70 percent of the pediatric acquired immuno- deficiency sjnidrome cases are related to intravenous drug use by one or both parents of the infant; Whereas drug abuse treatment is an effective way of preventing the spread of AIDS among intravenous drug abusers; Whereas alcoholism and drug dependence are illnesses requiring prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation through the assistance and cooperation of a broad range of Federal, State, and local health, law enforcement, and social service agencies, families, employers, employees, and organizations concerned about alcohol and other drug abuse; and Whereas despite our national policy goal of making treatment available to all who request it, the existence of waiting lists highlights the need to increase the availability and quality of alcohol and other drug treatment services: Now, therefore, be it

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