National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month

September is the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction recovery month.

To help alleviate the nation’s problems related to drug and alcohol abuse, President Bush (George W.) designated September as the National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month with a proclamation he signed in 2003.

Alcohol addiction and drug addiction continue to challenge our Nation. Addiction to alcohol or drugs destroys family ties, friendship, ambition, and moral conviction, and reduces the richness of life to a single destructive desire. During National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, we seek to remind all Americans, particularly those who struggle with alcohol or drug addiction, that recovery is possible. This year’s theme, “Join the Voices of Recovery: Celebrating Health,” salutes the thousands of Americans currently striving to address their alcohol or drug addiction, and the many professionals, volunteers, clergy, community groups, friends, and family members who support others in overcoming addiction….

The full proclamation may be found here

Since then, many states have enacted legislation promoting a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of drugs and alcohol at school and at work.

Although the laws vary from state to state, some elements common to these legislative efforts are:

Make it more difficult for workers who test positive for alcohol or drugs to receive unemployment benefits.
Encourage companies to have policies that promote a drug and alcohol free workplace.
Protect employees from abusive use of the law such as unwarranted or discriminatory termination.

Consequently, companies now need to have drug and alcohol policies that are fair and in-keeping (up-to-date) with the law, please check with the relevant agencies for your state.

A helpful resource is the U.S. Department of Labor’s FAQ on drug-free workplace issues.