Report Title:

Substance Abuse; Screening

 

Description:

Ensures appropriate alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling is offered to a patient when an examining physician in a primary care or emergency room setting has good reason to suspect substance abuse by the patient, and appropriates unspecified funds to establish a screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment pilot program in the State of Hawaii. Effective July 1, 2020.  (HB367 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

367

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that screening individuals for substance abuse, counseling those who show risky behavior, and referring people to substance abuse treatment if needed are remarkably effective techniques to reduce alcohol and drug problems.

     The purpose of this part is to ensure that a referral to appropriate alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling is offered to a patient when an examining physician in a primary care or emergency room setting has good reason to suspect substance abuse by the patient.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§453-     Alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling in emergency room or routine primary care.  A physician licensed under this chapter shall offer to refer a patient being examined in a primary care or emergency room setting to alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling when the physician has good reason to suspect alcohol or drug abuse by the patient."

PART II

     SECTION 3.  Medical personnel, particularly in emergency rooms and trauma centers, regularly encounter patients who have sustained injuries, loss, or trauma resulting from the use of alcohol or other drugs.  This initial point of contact in a medical setting is a recognized window of opportunity where patients are most vulnerable and open to intervention and dialogue that address their underlying alcohol or drug issues.  It is at this "teachable moment" that individuals can benefit from assessment, education, counseling, or, if necessary, referral to treatment.

     The "screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment" program capitalizes on this "teachable moment" in medical settings by offering screening, brief intervention, education, and, if necessary, referrals to appropriate care or treatment for individuals at risk for, or diagnosed with, alcohol and other substance use disorders.

     This evidence-based, cost-effective program is recognized as a best practice model by the substance abuse and mental health services administration, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.  Successful screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment programs have been implemented and are ongoing in other states, including California, Alaska, Illinois, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.  Evidence from existing screening, brief intervention, referral, and treatment programs conducted in medical settings have shown dramatic reductions in alcohol and other drug use among patients receiving services.

     The purpose of this part is to appropriate funds to establish a screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment pilot program in the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 4.  The University of Hawaii, through its John A. Burns school of medicine, shall develop and establish a pilot program for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment, which shall be sited at the emergency department of a major urban medical facility in Honolulu.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $     or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to implement the pilot program for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii, through its John A. Burns school of medicine for the purposes of this part.

     SECTION 6.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020; provided that part II of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.