Report Title:

Substance Abuse; Treatment; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates up to $350,000 per school complex for existing or emerging community coalitions to coordinate local anti-drug community efforts, fill service gaps, and implement best practice prevention programs.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3120

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to substance abuse treatment.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that, whether it is called "ice", "batu", or "shabu", crystal methamphetamine has been a serious public health issue in Hawaii since the late 1980s. Accessible and highly addictive, "ice" usage has reached epidemic proportions and has affected all of Hawaii's ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic sectors. There have been several recent and sensational incidents involving its use including one long term, mentally ill drug user who axed his elderly father to death and seriously injured his mother because they refused to give him money to buy "ice". Another recent incident involved a spectacular hit and run crash in east Honolulu that involved over a dozen vehicles and tied up traffic for hours. A stolen vehicle whose occupants were known "ice" users caused the crash.

The legislature also finds that Hawaii's community coalitions play an important role in bringing residents, service providers, and other community members together to focus on the "ice" issue in local neighborhoods and communities. It is vital to keep existing community coalitions viable and mobilized and encourage the development of new or emerging community coalitions. This approach will empower community coalitions to assist in the prioritization of resources and funding through cooperative problem solving, planning, and bottom-up decision-making.

The purpose of this Act is to fund up to $350,000 per school complex statewide through existing or emerging community coalitions to coordinate local anti-drug community efforts, fill service gaps, and implement best practice prevention programs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $14,700,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for existing or emerging community coalitions in all forty-two school complexes statewide to coordinate local anti-drug community efforts, fill service gaps, and implement best practice prevention programs, as follows:

(1) Youth substance abuse prevention and intervention programs: $5,250,000

To provide effective, best practice, and culturally adapted drug prevention and intervention and education programs for youth. These programs may include a wide range of youth-focused activities such as: mentoring, after school tutoring and recreational activities, culturally-based dance and performance activities, sports, and martial arts programs. They may also include family strengthening and other parental support services to enhance services to youth;

(2) Neighborhood safety and family support and education: $3,150,000

To mobilize community prevention partnerships to address drug related problems, including assisting law enforcement with abatement of "ice" houses and neighborhood crime reduction and assisting families with pre-treatment issues of addicted family members. Victims support and family drug education services may also be included in this category of services; and

(3) Continuing care of persons in recovery: $6,300,000

To provide coordination, community support, and resources to those returning from incarceration and drug treatment to prevent relapse and ensure successful integration back into the community, including but not limited to clean and sober transitional housing, job development, support groups, and family strengthening and counseling. In addition, communities may want to develop drug endangered child protection programs to implement continuing care, protection, and education for young children.

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

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.

INTRODUCED BY:

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