Report Title:

Crystal Methamphetamine Use; drug prevention; appropriation

Description:

Makes an appropriation to address crystal methamphetamine use and abuse on the Island of Hawaii.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1604

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation to prevent crystal methamphetamine use.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that crystal methamphetamine ("ice") is the greatest threat to a community's health and public safety on the Island of Hawaii. In August of 2001, the Hawaii Island Methamphetamine Summit was held, on the island of Hawaii. This was one of the first four held throughout the country. In attendance to address the devastating impact that "ice" has had on communities throughout the country were United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Drug Enforcement Administration administrator Asa Hutchinson, National Crime Prevention Council vice president Jim Copple, and Dr. Wesley Clark, director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in Washington, D.C.

The purpose of the summit was to focus attention and resources upon the problem of "ice" use on the island of Hawaii, a problem which has reached epidemic proportions. Indeed, child protective services reports that over one thousand five hundred children on the island of Hawaii have been put under the jurisdiction of the courts, with over ninety per cent being ice or drug related.

The Hawaii county police department has reported that "ice" arrests between 1997 and 2001 have increased by four hundred thirty-one per cent and that "ice" seizures in Hawaii county increased from approximately twenty-seven ounces in 1998 to two hundred nineteen ounces in 2001. Moreover, a report compiled by the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, the largest substance abuse treatment provider in Hawaii county, has indicated that "ice" has become the drug of choice for Big Island residents by a two-to-one margin over any other drug. In 2001-2002, fully forty-five per cent of those seeking treatment admitted that "ice" was their first drug of choice, far outpacing cocaine (seven per cent), heroin (three per cent), marijuana (twenty per cent), and alcohol (twenty five per cent). The U.S. Attorney's Office has also recognized that Hawaii county has been hard hit by "ice," reporting that Hawaii's greatest threat is "ice" and its devastating impact upon families, children, and the community's safety.

Hawaii county in 2001 conducted a comprehensive survey and researched the problem of drug and substance abuse by adolescents. The juvenile justice comprehensive strategic plan, conducted by a federal grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Drug Prevention, through the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Hawaii county, revealed that adolescents from Hawaii county were at the highest risk for drug use and abuse among all adolescents in the State of Hawaii. Using data from the department of health's report, "The 2000 Hawaii Student Alcohol and Drug Abuse Study (1987-2000)," their research found that a greater percentage of students in grades six, eight, ten, and twelve in Hawaii county have used drugs and engaged in risky behavior or committed crimes as compared to the rest of the State. This disturbing data was an impetus for Hawaii county to seek federal assistance, through the office of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, to combat the problem of drug use and abuse among adolescents.

However, federal assistance alone will not solve the crisis and epidemic currently affecting the children, families, and communities of Hawaii county. The only hope to eliminate this threat is for every level of government to do its part, and for each community to actively participate in the issues affecting them. Because of the unique challenges posed by a population of approximately one hundred forty thousand spread out over four thousand twenty-eight square miles, composed of entirely distinct communities with distinct characteristics, the legislature finds that it is important for each community to participate in its own healing and its own initiatives. In this way, we must take back our neighborhoods from the devastation of drug use and abuse. Too often, untailored programs and services are offered to outlying or rural communities that are neither welcomed nor effective.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for more effective community based anti-drug programs to prevent the use of crystal methamphetamine.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 for community anti-drug efforts aimed at preventing crystal methamphetamine use on the island of Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health, alcohol drug abuse division, for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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