Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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October 01, 2024
WHEREAS, substance misuse has a profound effect on individuals, families and communities, including physical and mental health, social isolation, financial strain, emotional toll, health care burden, and economic impact; and,
WHEREAS, Michigan data indicates 14% of Michigan youth in grades 9 through 12 and 22.1% of young adults ages 18 to 24 use electronic vapor products, 30.1% of young adults ages 18 to 25 reported current marijuana use, 16.7% of youth in grades 9 through 12 reported consuming one alcoholic drink within the past 30 days, and there were 722 emergency department visits involving a non-fatal opioid overdose among individuals ages 0 to 24 years; and,
WHEREAS, substance misuse costs the nation hundreds of billions of dollars each year, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, prevention has the potential to reduce those costs dramatically; and,
WHEREAS, individuals who start using alcohol or other drugs when they’re young are more likely to develop a substance use disorder later in life; and,
WHEREAS, addressing substance misuse requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and support for affected individuals, families, and communities; and,
WHEREAS, prevention aims to stop substance misuse before it starts by strengthening protective factors and reducing risk factors in individuals, families, schools, communities, and across society, addressing social determinants of health, being culturally competent, and executing sustainable actions; and,
WHEREAS, during this month, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to ask parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, teachers, community members, government agencies, public and private institutions, prevention providers, and more to share information, promote healthy lifestyles, and help transform lives through evidence-based substance use prevention;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2024 as Substance Misuse Prevention and Youth Substance Use Prevention Month in Michigan.