THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

119

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE RESOLUTION

 

requesting the implementation of training programs to educate retailers on products used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine.

 

 

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine first appeared in Hawaii in 1985 and was initially distributed by gangs; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Attorney has stated that crystal methamphetamine is now one of the most serious public health issues in Hawaii and the Pacific region; and

WHEREAS, the easy availability and high profitability of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as "ice" because of its clear crystal icy appearance, has made it the drug of choice in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, it has been reported that Hawaii is recognized nationwide as the leading state for ice use; and

WHEREAS, according to a recent U.S. Department of Justice report on 37 major metropolitan areas, Honolulu has the highest percentage of arrested males testing positive for crystal methamphetamine; and

WHEREAS, pseudoephedrine, which can be used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine, is found in common cold medicines available at retail drug and grocery stores; and

WHEREAS, one solution is to place restrictions on the purchase of common over-the-counter cold medicines as a means of reducing the crystal methamphetamine problem in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, retailers have consistently opposed such restrictions, arguing that it places retail sales clerks in jeopardy of being cited and penalized for selling legitimate consumer products; and

WHEREAS, there are as many as 4,000 cold, flu, and allergy products presently on the market that contain pseudoephedrine, making it very difficult for a store clerk to determine which products or combinations of products would trigger the sales restrictions; and

WHEREAS, a representative of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy has stated that sales restrictions on common decongestants will not by themselves end the problem; instead, total community involvement and education are needed to address this serious issue; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas Methamphetamine Prevention Project (Kansas Project) provides a comprehensive environmental approach to dealing with the problem of methamphetamine; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas Project includes education and training for various public and private audiences, and a retailer "Meth-Watch" program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, that the Narcotics Enforcement Division (NED) of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) work with retailers of pseudoephedrine items in educating employees on the products used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine, with the goal of securing the retailer's voluntary support in enforcing our methamphetamine laws; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that NED conduct workshops with retailers, developing a "train the trainer" program following the example of the Kansas Project, which has become a model program for retailers of pseudoephedrine products and other items used to manufacture crystal methamphetamine, such as chemicals, solvents, glassware, or other apparatuses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of DPS and the Administrator of NED.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Crystal methamphetamine training for retailers.