| R 321 |
| 2025 -- H 6356 Enacted 05/22/2025 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER AS SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND CALLING FOR THE END OF STIGMA AND EMPOWERING RECOVERY THROUGH LANGUAGE IN RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Giraldo, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Voas, Stewart, Alzate, Potter, Cruz, Kislak, and Edwards |
| Date Introduced: May 22, 2025 |
| WHEREAS, Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a public health issue that affect |
| thousands of Rhode Islanders and their families each year; and |
| WHEREAS, Stigma and discrimination remain significant barriers to individuals seeking |
| and accessing treatment and recovery support, often leading to negative health outcomes and |
| societal exclusion; and |
| WHEREAS, Language plays a powerful role in shaping public perceptions, attitudes, and |
| beliefs about individuals with SUDs, with evidence showing that person-first, non-stigmatizing |
| language fosters dignity, compassion, and understanding; and |
| WHEREAS, The American Medical Association, the World Health Organization, and |
| other leading health organizations advocate for replacing stigmatizing terms such as "addict," |
| "abuser," and "clean" with person-first language such as "person with a substance use disorder" |
| and "in recovery"; and |
| WHEREAS, Communities, health professionals, and policymakers must work |
| collaboratively to create an environment where individuals with SUDs are treated with respect |
| and supported in their recovery journey; and |
| WHEREAS, Increasing public awareness of the impact of stigma and promoting the |
| adoption of respectful and inclusive language can contribute to improved outcomes for |
| individuals with SUDs and their families; and |
| WHEREAS, The statewide recovery advocacy workgroup represents individuals with |
| lived experience, recovery advocates, and key stakeholders and serves as an essential voice for |
| ensuring that policies are aligned with best practices and community needs; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes the urgent need to address stigma around substance use disorders and urges state |
| agencies, healthcare providers, educators, employers, media outlets, and community |
| organizations to adopt person-first, non-stigmatizing language in their practices, communications, |
| and policies; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House hereby supports statewide educational campaigns to raise |
| awareness of the role of stigma in perpetuating barriers to treatment and recovery, emphasizing |
| the power of inclusive language and the importance of evidence-based approaches to SUDs; and |
| be it further |
| RESOLVED, That all people are encouraged and welcome to attend the annual Recovery |
| Day Event at the Rhode Island State House on May 29, 2025; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| recognizes September as Substance Use Recovery Awareness Month in the State of Rhode Island |
| in order to highlight the importance of breaking down stigma, celebrating recovery, and |
| promoting mental health and wellness across the state; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Governor of the State of Rhode Island, |
| Daniel J. McKee, the Rhode Island Department of Health, and the Rhode Island Department of |
| Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH). |
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| LC002623 |
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