IN SUPPORT OF INSPIRING YOUTH THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

WHEREAS, The United States Conference of Mayors has a proven commitment to supporting the development and empowerment of youth and strengthening families; and

WHEREAS, according to the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 8.3 million children live with at least one parent who abused or was dependent on alcohol or an illicit drug during the past year; and 

WHEREAS, according to the Administration for Children and Families when a child has exposure to either prenatal or postnatal drug use, that child is more likely to experience depression, anxiety, psychiatric disorders, exhibit behavioral problems, and receive lower test scores; and

WHEREAS, children from homes where the parents suffer from substance abuse are more at risk to be neglected, and often need to take a larger role in caring for their parents or other siblings; and

WHEREAS, children of Alcoholics are four times as likely to become an alcoholic when compared to a child without an alcoholic as a parent; and

WHEREAS, adolescents that use drugs or alcohol are more likely to have poor academic achievement or to become involved in criminal activity; and

WHEREAS, organizations in our communities like the Mario Do Right Foundation in Baltimore provide assistance in communities by educating and inspiring youth that have been affected by substance abuse through mentoring and supportive services; and

WHEREAS, many of these non-profit organizations work hand in hand with local, state and federal partners to utilize the services and resources of their governmental partners to provide aid to youth in communities across the country; and

WHEREAS, the Drug Free Communities Support Program supports community based organizations that have been formed to help local youth substance abuse and its consequences; and

WHEREAS, data from the Drug Free Community National Evaluation indicates that middle school-aged youth in funded communities experienced a 16 percent reduction in alcohol use and a 23 percent reduction in marijuana use, while High school-aged youth have reduced their use of alcohol by 9 percent  and marijuana use by 7 percent in funded communities,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors recognizes non-profit programs like the Mario Do Right Foundation for its contribution to assist children and families affected by alcohol and substance abuse in communities across the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors encourages its mayors to participate in National Drug Facts week  January 28 - February 3, 2013; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the U.S. Conference of Mayors further encourages its mayors to support programs which assist young people that face substance abuse in their homes; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the US Conference of Mayors supports the Drug Free Communities Support Program and further calls for an increase in funding for this program and the cadre of other programs that provide assistance to these non-profits.