David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – In a ceremony today at 9:30 a.m. at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, Gov. David Y. Ige will sign a proclamation naming September “Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in Hawai‘i.” The event draws attention to the need for increased awareness and understanding of substance use disorders in Hawai‘i and celebrates the people who recover from addiction.

The governor’s proclamation aligns with a similar proclamation by President Obama, who declared September as “National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.” “The proclamation honors those who have found recovery from addiction, as well as all of the family members, loved ones, community workers and others who work tirelessly to address the disease of addiction in our community,” said Edward Mersereau, chief of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division of the Hawai‘i Department of Health.

The proclamation ceremony will be followed by a meeting of key stakeholders and policy makers who continue to support efforts to address substance abuse in our community. “The goal is to build on the work underway in our state and maintain the momentum toward meaningful policy implementation that sustains recovery and improves prevention efforts,” said Mersereau.

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