Mayor Taveras Proclaims May 20-26, 2012 as National Prevention Week in the City of Providence

WHEREAS, In the summer of 2011, the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council announced the release of the National Prevention Strategy to help increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life; and

WHEREAS, The National Prevention Strategy emphasizes that prevention should be woven into all aspects of our lives - including where and how we live, learn, work, and play - and that everyone has a role in creating a healthier nation; and

WHEREAS, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has named May 20-26, 2012 as National Prevention Week, a week-long celebration of the work that community organizations and individuals do year-round to help prevent substance abuse and promote mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being; and

WHEREAs, the City of Providence is among cities, towns and counties nationwide that are working to build awareness about the importance of prevention and how each of us can take action to prevent substance abuse, promote mental health and emotional well-being, and create healthier and more vibrant communities; and

WHEREAS, the City of Providence has made substantial strides in tobacco prevention in 2011 and 2012 by instituting smoke-free housing for more than 1,100 public housing residents with expansion of this access to come; by passing new laws increasing city oversight of tobacco vendors, and banning the sale of loose cigarettes; and by passing new ordinances that will be implemented this year to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and the acceptance of tobacco discounts in the City of Providence; and

WHEREAS, Providence is proud to have been selected to serve as the national hub for the 2013 Rallies for Recovery, which will highlight the city's commitment to behavioral health and an integrated approach to substance abuse that includes supporting prevention, treatment and recovery; and

WHEREAS, Providence is a participant in the Drug Free Communities program and is working to ensure that all middle and high school students and their parents and caregivers in the city truly understand the risks and dangers of alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on teen drinking on May 31, 2012 to engage a broad cross-section of the community in dialogue about this important issue;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that May 20-26 shall be known as National Prevention Week in the City of Providence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all Providence residents are urged to celebrate this week by signing the SAMHSA's "Prevention Pledge" to commit to a healthy lifestyle free of substance abuse or through the Providence Mayor's Substance Abuse Prevention Council website, www.msapc.org, and then to share their promise with friends, family, and loved ones to help raise awareness; and

BET IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Providence residents are urged to further deepen their commitment to substance abuse prevention by attending the World No Tobacco Day Celebration at the Rhode Island State House at 4pm on Thursday, May 31 as well as the City's Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking on Thursday, May 31, from 6:30 to 8:00pm at the Community Christian Church, 353 Elmwood Avenue.