On behalf of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), we would like to provide you with the results of the 2009 National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (Recovery Month ) campaign and extend our gratitude for making the historic 20th Anniversary Year of effort our most successful ever.  The 2009 theme, Together We Learn, Together We Heal, highlighted recovery’s positive impact on the community, the family, and those that provide treatment and recovery services, and the importance of working together.
 
Thanks to you, Recovery Month continues to grow. The 2009 observance was recognized in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  A total of 1001 events were held, an increase of nearly 18 percent over the number of 2008 Recovery Month events. The 2009 Recovery Month events reached over 1 million people in communities around the world, helping to raise awareness about the effectiveness of alcohol and drug addiction treatment and the power of recovery.  In addition, 205 proclamations recognized September as Recovery Month , including one by the President of the United States, along with various states, cities, Native American communities, and other organizations.

The 2009 Recovery Month television and radio public service announcements (PSAs), Black and White in Color and Making Sense , were embraced by 1,089 TV stations and networks, including 100 Spanish stations and 6 networks nationwide. From July through December 2009, the PSAs aired 17,508 times through 237 outlets reaching 110 markets, with 157,338,454 viewer impressions. The campaign ranked 25 out of 1,271 campaigns that Nielsen monitored from August 31, 2009 through October 25, putting it in the top 2 percent. The radio PSAs, Homework and Making Sense , were produced in English and Spanish in 20-second and 30-second lengths and distributed to nearly 3,493 radio stations nationwide, including 193 Spanish stations and 1 network nationwide. The radio spots broadcasted 17,378 times from July through December via 195 outlets, reaching 142 cities in 45 states, and resulted in an estimated earned media value of $926,136, with 137,745,119 listener impressions.

The Road to Recovery series provides year round educational programming on treatment and recovery issues affecting the Nation in both television and radio formats.  The 2009 series aired in all 50 States on more than 488 cable channels. New in 2009, the DishNetwork satellite network, through the University of Southern California, aired the Road to Recovery television series. The cable and satellite stations combined reach more than 42.7 million households or 37% of all households in the United States, representing an estimated earned media value of nearly $14.3 million per year. The radio series aired on 38 radio stations, with a majority distributed to Native American radio stations, reaching 2.8 million listeners.

In 2009, Recovery Month expanded its online outreach by launching a Facebook page and a YouTube Channel. The Facebook page, launched in late July, garnered 1894 fans who posted 210 comments. The YouTube Channel, which launched in September, garnered 1422 channel views and 40 subscribers.  We encourage you to join the dialogue and join our social networking sites.

Every year, we at SAMHSA continue to be inspired by your efforts! We thank you for your support and hard work on behalf of those in need of treatment and recovery support services.  We look forward to working with you throughout 2010.

Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.
Administrator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration

H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., CAS, FASAM
Director
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Post your events today on www.recoverymonth.gov .