1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 421 1-3 WHEREAS, Alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are major 1-4 problems plaguing our society today, and the number of Americans 1-5 using these drugs is increasing at an alarming rate; and 1-6 WHEREAS, The staggering costs of drug abuse in terms of 1-7 human suffering and monetary loss affects all of us, and only 1-8 through a concerted effort by parents, schools, private 1-9 institutions, and governmental bodies can the growing number of 1-10 drug users be reversed; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Far from being a panacea for individual problems, 1-12 the use of alcohol and drugs can lead to deadly diseases; their 1-13 use has been closely related to the occurrence of sexually 1-14 transmitted illnesses as well as unwanted pregnancies, fetal 1-15 deaths, birth defects, and mental disorders; and 1-16 WHEREAS, Children are especially at risk in homes where 1-17 drugs are used; they suffer from problems arising out of criminal 1-18 behavior; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; substance abuse; 1-19 and behavioral difficulties; and 1-20 WHEREAS, Estimates of the health care costs associated 1-21 with alcohol, tobacco, and drug abuse are placed at over $90 1-22 billion; every man, woman, and child in the United States pays 1-23 nearly $1,000 every year to cover the expenditures resulting 2-1 from substance abuse, including loss of productivity, crime, 2-2 auto accidents, and increased law enforcement; and 2-3 WHEREAS, Prevention programs have been shown to be far 2-4 less expensive and by far the most effective approach in 2-5 dealing with this critical social problem; educational programs 2-6 that target young people, who are receptive to such efforts, are 2-7 especially cogent; and 2-8 WHEREAS, While tobacco advertising and prolegalization 2-9 efforts for drug use have become more pronounced, funding for 2-10 prevention programs has been substantially reduced in recent 2-11 years; and 2-12 WHEREAS, The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse 2-13 school survey and the 1994 Monitoring the Future survey confirmed 2-14 that the recent increase in substance abuse rates corresponds to 2-15 these developments; and 2-16 WHEREAS, A renewed dedication by all Texans is necessary 2-17 to reverse the ever-increasing use of addictive drugs among our 2-18 citizens, and the use of successful preventive programs should be 2-19 encouraged and supported; now, therefore, be it 2-20 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-21 75th Legislature, hereby recognize April 2, 1997, as Alcohol, 2-22 Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse Prevention Day at the State Capitol 2-23 in an effort to encourage our citizens to continue their efforts 2-24 to eradicate the use of such drugs from our society. 2-25 Moncrief 3-1 ______________________________________ 3-2 President of the Senate 3-3 I hereby certify that the above 3-4 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-5 on April 1, 1997. 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 Secretary of the Senate 3-8 ______________________________________ 3-9 Member, Texas Senate