Dear Mayor,

On behalf of the United States Conference of Mayors’ Substance Abuse, Prevention and Recovery Task Force, thank you for your sustained efforts to combat substance use disorders and celebrate recovery in your city.  As you may know, National Recovery Month is observed each September. We are pleased to share resources with you to combat substance use disorders and encourage you to join us in promoting awareness and celebrating recovery in your city.

We encourage you to support Recovery Month by highlighting that recovery in all its forms is possible and encourage community stakeholders and individuals to take action to help expand and improve the availability of effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for those in need. Highlight this year’s theme “Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Are Stronger” and showcase solutions in your city which support enhanced prevention, treatment and recovery support services for residents.

Some action steps include:

  • Issue proclamations, statements, and letters in support of Recovery Month (See samples here);
  • Host Local Events and/or Overdose Prevention and Naloxone Trainings in your city to increase awareness and participation;
  • Connect residents to alcohol, drug, or mental health treatment facilities and programs around the country at findtreatment.samhsa.gov);
  • View the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Recovery Month Toolkit that provides a wealth of data, tips and resources for planning Recovery Month events and distributing information.  Also, view SAMSHA Event and Media Outreach Guide here;
  • Learn about the nation’s first Mayor’s Office of Recovery Services here. Watch and listen to videos and podcasts and review reports and best practices including the 2017 Guide to Addressing Substance Use produced for Mayors.
  • Share your city’s best practices to combat addiction and enhance prevention with the US Conference of Mayors by emailing Dalen Harris at USCM at dharris@usmayors.org

Thank you for your work to address substance use during Recovery Month and throughout the year.  It is crucial for Mayors to drive this issue forward and be strong voices for those who are struggling.  Together with our state, federal, non-profit, and private sector partners, we can implement solutions that make a real difference in the lives of those battling addiction and change the conversation on substance use disorder.

Sincerely,

Martin J. Walsh
Mayor, City of Boston (MA)
Co Chair, Substance Abuse, Prevention and Recovery Task Force
Stephen T. Williams
Mayor, City of Huntington (WV)
Co Chair, Substance Abuse, Prevention and Recovery Task Force