Credit: The Garrett County Republican

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-Md., along with fellow Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force Co-Chairs Ann McLane Kuster, D-N.H., Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., and Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., introduced the Honoring National Recovery Month Act to provide consistent funding for National Recovery Month programming.

The Senate companion bill will be introduced by Sens. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., and Dan Sullivan, R-Ark.

National Recovery Month occurs each September. During this month, government agencies, stakeholders and communities partner with individuals in recovery and their families to celebrate progress, educate the public and combat stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has been the nation’s leader in Recovery Month efforts — developing targeted outreach materials, suggestions for event planning and other resources used by groups across the country.

A dedicated funding stream, as would be authorized by the Honoring National Recovery Month Act, is designed to ensure this work continues and is community-led.

The Honoring National Recovery Month Act provides $1 million annually for SAMHSA to develop materials, distribute best practices, and lead activities related to Recovery Month. The legislation provides SAMHSA with the flexibility for funds to be used by a national organization for Recovery Month activities.

“With mental health and substance use disorders on the rise, it’s more important than ever to celebrate National Recovery Month,” Trone said. “By providing consistent funding for Recovery Month, the millions of Americans in recovery or seeking recovery will know that they are supported and celebrated. I’d like to thank my Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force colleagues and Senators Luján and Sullivan for working with me on this much-needed legislation that will help us end the stigma and save lives.”

This bill is endorsed by Faces & Voices of Recovery, National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery, the Kennedy Forum, Partnership to End Addiction, Shatterproof, National Council for Behavioral Health, the Voices Project, Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, California Consortium of Addiction Programs & Professionals, Behavioral Health Association of Providers, Addiction Professionals of North Carolina, International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium, and Well Being Trust.