STATE OF NEW YORK 
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER 
Proclamation

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Whereas, the Empire State join to support National Alcohol Awareness Month, which calls attention to the disease of alcoholism, and promotes understanding that alcoholism is a chronic, treatable disease from which people can recover; and

Whereas, alcohol abuse and addiction continue to present a major health crisis and can have serious consequences for all of society, such as increased costs in health care, welfare, insurance and criminal justice services, and alcohol dependence can also impact an individual and his or her family by affecting job performance and family relationships; and

Whereas, persons with alcoholism can experience periods of sobriety and stability and periods of relapse, and as with other forms of addiction, recovery is possible through effective treatments and rehabilitation programs; and

Whereas, for both health and legal reasons, many people should not drink alcohol – including those who are under the age of 21, women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, persons taking prescriptions or over-the-counter medications, those with a serious medical condition, anyone driving a vehicle or participating in activities requiring skill, coordination and alertness, or recovering from alcoholism; and

Whereas, New York State has one of the largest, most comprehensive alcohol and substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery systems in the nation, led by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) which oversees 1,550 prevention and treatment programs that treat 110,000 New Yorkers on any given day; and

Whereas, it is imperative that New York joins with other states in advancing efforts to strengthen the enforcement of our state’s underage drinking laws, and build partnerships among State agencies, local elected officials, law enforcement, businesses, schools and communities to prevent underage drinking and alcoholism; and

Whereas, New York supports national efforts to prevent alcoholism among youth by responding to the Surgeon General’s Call to Action to stop and reduce underage drinking, as more than 1,600 town hall meetings will take place across the U.S. in March and April 2008 so as to spread new information related to the public health risks associated with alcohol; and

Whereas, all New Yorkers join to recognize credentialed alcoholism and substance abuse prevention professionals and counselors who – along with other specialists in schools, communities and workplaces – serve an important role in fighting alcoholism and related problems, therefore enabling many people to recover and lead productive and healthy lives;

Now, Therefore, I, David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New York, do hereby proclaim April 2008 as

ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH

in the Empire State.

Given under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State at the Capitol in the City of Albany this second day of April in the year two thousand eight.

David A. Paterson
Governor

Charles O'Byrne
Secretary to the Governor