Governor Stein Proclaims National Substance Use Prevention Month

National Substance Use Prevention Month

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, substance use prevention is essential to the health, safety, and well-being of each person, family, and community across North Carolina; and

Whereas, prevention reduces alcohol, tobacco, opioid, and other substance misuse through evidence-based education, early intervention, positive youth development, and community collaboration; and

Whereas, North Carolina has trained more than 9,000 people through youth and parent alcohol, tobacco, and other drug education programs and through school-based alternatives to suspension; and such programs support healthy decision-making; and

Whereas, North Carolina funds prevention programming in all 100 counties and supports more than 90 community coalitions working to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and drug misuse statewide; and

Whereas, prevention professionals, educators, health care providers, law enforcement, recovery advocates, faith leaders, parents, and youth work together to strengthen protective factors, reduce risks, and promote healthy lifestyles; and

Whereas, National Red Ribbon Week, the oldest and largest drug-prevention awareness campaign in the United States, observed annually during the week of October 23 – 31 with the 2026 national theme of “Make a Difference. Be a Hero. Stay Drug Free,” chosen through a student contest and affirms that living drug-free is an everyday act of leadership, courage, and positive influence, and that the role models young people most often follow are their own peers; and

Whereas, North Carolina advances safe storage and disposal of alcohol and prescription medications by distributing more than 11,000 lockboxes and 15,000 disposal kits, supporting nearly 200 take-back events collecting more than 1,200 pounds of unused medications, and conducting campaigns reaching approximately 6.5 million residents; and

Whereas, overdose prevention initiatives – including overdose education, distribution of 36,226 naloxone kits, 3,706 overdose reversals, and 1,183 referrals to treatment – show that prevention improves health, strengthens families, reduces crime and health care costs, and can save up to $14 for every dollar invested;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as “National Substance Use Prevention Month” in North Carolina and commend its observance.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fifty-first.