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JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION TO PREVENT SERIOUS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS
WHEREAS, substance use disorders occur when the recurrent use of alcohol or drugs causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability and inability to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home; and
WHEREAS,  rates of serious substance use disorders, including opioid addiction, are rising in Maine; and
WHEREAS,  children are especially susceptible to influences that may lead them to experiment with drugs and alcohol and eventually develop substance use disorders; and
WHEREAS,  effective substance use prevention education brings to children the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize the risks of substance use; and
WHEREAS,  successful substance use prevention education involves schools, law enforcement, community organizations and individuals; and
WHEREAS,  Maine’s system of learning results includes substance use prevention education among the health education content areas; and
WHEREAS,  the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services have collaborated to produce the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide for schools to use when adopting a substance use prevention education policy and curriculum; and
WHEREAS,  the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide provides a toolkit for schools to use to implement substance use prevention education policies and curricula; and
WHEREAS,  the Legislature recognizes the importance of local policies and curricula to implement effective substance use prevention education programs; and
WHEREAS,  the Legislature encourages the ongoing development of the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide and its use in schools; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Legislature now assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to recognize the essential role of substance use prevention education in preventing serious substance use disorders and encourage the use of the Maine School Substance Use Policy Guide.