HOUSE RESOLUTION 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
Summary
H6356 is a House resolution recognizing September as Substance Use Recovery Awareness Month in Rhode Island. The resolution frames substance use disorders as a public health issue affecting many Rhode Islanders and emphasizes that stigma and discriminatory language can discourage people from seeking treatment and recovery support. It highlights the importance of person-first, non-stigmatizing language and cites major health organizations in support of replacing terms such as “addict” or “abuser” with respectful alternatives like “person with a substance use disorder” or “in recovery.”
The resolution also calls on state agencies, healthcare providers, educators, employers, media outlets, and community organizations to adopt inclusive language in their communications and policies. It supports statewide educational campaigns to raise awareness about stigma and recovery, encourages attendance at the annual Recovery Day event at the Rhode Island State House, and directs the Secretary of State to send certified copies to the Governor and relevant state health agencies. As a resolution, it does not create new regulatory requirements or amend statutory law, but it formally expresses the General Assembly’s support for recovery awareness and anti-stigma efforts.
Impact
H6356 does not change the Rhode Island General Laws or impose enforceable duties; instead, it is a ceremonial and policy-statement resolution. Its practical impact is to elevate public awareness of substance use recovery, encourage the use of person-first language across public and private institutions, and reinforce the role of the Department of Health and BHDDH in recovery-related outreach and education. It may influence agency messaging, school and employer practices, and public health campaigns, but it does not itself create penalties, benefits, or program funding.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment around the bill is strongly supportive and affirming. The resolution is framed in compassionate public-health terms, with emphasis on dignity, recovery, and reducing stigma rather than punishment or moral judgment. The absence of recorded opposition, committee controversy, or recorded votes in the provided history suggests broad consensus or at least no visible resistance in the available materials.
Contention
No specific points of contention are reflected in the provided transcripts or voting history. The resolution’s main policy emphasis is on language and stigma reduction, which can sometimes prompt debate over preferred terminology or the role of government in shaping speech, but no such disagreement is documented here. The only implied tension is between stigmatizing and person-first language, with the resolution clearly endorsing the latter and urging institutions to follow suit.
Health: substance use disorder prevention; competitive grant program to provide grants for recovery community organizations; modify. Amends sec. 273b of 1974 PA 258 (MCL 330.1273b).