Bill Text: WV SR25 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

West Virginia Senate Resolution 25

Introduced

Bill Title: Designating February 5, 2024, as Recovery Advocacy Day

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 2-1)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-05 - Completed legislative action [SR25 Detail]

Download: West_Virginia-2024-SR25-Introduced.html

SENATE RESOLUTION 25

(By Senator Takubo)

[Introduced February 2, 2024]

Designating February 5, 2024, as Recovery Advocacy Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, An epidemic of substance use disorder, combined with other addictions and co-occurring disorders, continues to take an enormous toll on the lives of individual West Virginians; and

Whereas, The families of these individuals suffering from substance use disorder, eating disorder, and gambling addiction can, and most often do, experience significant physical, emotional, and economic hardships generated from these diseases of addiction; and

Whereas, In West Virginia a devoted group exists that possesses essential professional training and life experiences to help prevent addiction and will work to treat and help individuals suffering from these addictions or other co-occurring mental health diseases to overcome the challenges each person encounters through their recovery; and

Whereas, Locating safe, supportive, reliable housing, is crucial for many individuals in early recovery, obtaining long-term employment and becoming a productive member of society often poses even greater challenges; and

Whereas, Limitations on resources for assisting individuals and families to address the myriad mental health and substance use issues, presents a formidable statewide problem. This barrier is greater, and the need more substantial for many who are currently incarcerated (a large number as a direct consequence of an addiction that frequently presents in combination with other co-occurring disorders); and

Whereas, Thousands of individual West Virginians working with the dedicated workforce of trained mental health counselors, therapists, and other professionals have achieved and remain in recovery from their addiction or disorder; and

Whereas, This workforce supports multiple pathways to recovery and the many resources available to support individuals and their families at every step along their journey; and

Whereas, This workforce consists of multiple organizations in West Virginia with the mission to help ensure all recovering individuals have access to the recovery support team so they may attain their goals and live rewarding and fulfilling lives; and

Whereas, Recovery is an achievable goal within reach of all West Virginians willing to take advantage of the resources the recovery community has to offer; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 5, 2024, as Recovery Advocacy Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the West Virginia Association of Addictions and Prevention Professionals, the West Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Residences, the West Virginia Behavioral Healthcare Providers Association, the West Virginia Certification Board for Addiction and Prevention Professionals, and the Hope and Action Alliance.