Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1555, H.D. 2, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for statewide adolescent school-based treatment programs.

Your Committees received testimony in favor of this measure from the Department of Education, Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Young Men's Christian Association of Honolulu, Hina Mauka, Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Blueprint for Change, and Aloha House, Inc.

Your Committees find that students who are dependent on drugs cannot achieve their highest potential and are at great risk of academic failure and dropping out of school. There is a need for adolescent treatment services at all secondary schools in order that students receive needed services within the confines of the school where they are enrolled. Although there is a decline in school incidents related to substance abuse and violence, there needs to be a balanced system of prevention, intervention, and treatment, accessible to all students according to each individual's needs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1555, H.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.