October 01, 2026
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 7.5% of youth ages 12 to 17 and 26.8% of young adults ages 18 to 25 use electronic nicotine vapor products, 30.1% of young adults reported current marijuana use, 15.3% underage youth ages 12 to 20 reported consuming one alcoholic drink within the past 30 days and, in 2024, there were 80 drug overdose deaths among individuals ages 0 to 24; 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 are 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 2026 as Substance Misuse Prevention Month and Youth Substance Use Prevention Month in Michigan.
