HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "ALCOHOL AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Casey, J. Brien,
Baginski, Edwards, Bennett, Casimiro, and Solomon

Date Introduced:
April 02, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, "Alcohol Awareness Month" is a public health program which began in
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April of 1987, and is organized by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence as
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a way of increasing outreach and education regarding the dangers of alcoholism and issues related
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to alcohol; and
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WHEREAS, Alcohol abuse affects everyone, not simply the person with the drinking
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problem. It impacts family, friends, and the workplace. The numerous initiatives promulgated
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during Alcohol Awareness Month benefit everyone, and all people and organizations are
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welcome to participate including parents, schools, healthcare facilities, medical professionals, law
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enforcement, substance abuse organizations, faith-based groups and other important community
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organizations; and
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WHEREAS, The disease of addiction, including dangerous alcohol use, continues to
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devastate Rhode Island's communities and remains a public health emergency that poses a
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significant public health and safety threat to our State; and
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WHEREAS, According to the 2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH),
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approximately 33 percent (12.7 million) of young people aged 12 to 20 have consumed at least
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one alcoholic drink in their lives. Similarly, 27 percent (10.4 million) reported that they drank
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alcohol in the past year, and 13.3 percent (5.1 million) of young people aged 12 to 20 reported
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that they drank alcohol in the past month. In addition, 7.6 percent (2.9 million) reported that they
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engaged in binge drinking of alcohol in the past month; and

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WHEREAS, According to the National Center For Health Statistics, collectively,
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alcohol-related deaths in the United States cost the United States Economy approximately $249
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billion dollars and shorten the lives of those who die by an average of 24 years; and
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WHEREAS, According to Susan G. Komen Foundation, excessive alcohol use is linked
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to at least seven types of cancer: breast, colorectal, esophagus, larynx (voice box), liver, mouth,
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and throat; and
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WHEREAS, According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
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Administration (SAMHSA), in 2024, there were an estimated total of 3.3 million emergency
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room visits in the United States related to alcohol. Overall, alcohol was the most prevalent in
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substance-related emergency room visits, with approximately 38.9 percent; and
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WHEREAS, The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics reports that nearly 18 percent
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of Rhode Islanders binge drink with approximately 500-600 deaths per year in Rhode Island are
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attributable to excessive alcohol use; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims April of 2026, to be "Alcohol Awareness Month"; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the
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State of Rhode Island, Richard Charest, Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human
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Services, Jerome Larkin, MD, Director of the Department of Health, and Richard Leclerc,
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Director of the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.
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