Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 996, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to extend the drug demand reduction assessment law until June 30, 2004.

Your Committee notes that drug abuse accounts for a majority of the property crime and domestic violence presently committed. Your Committee believes that there is a compelling need to reduce the demand for illicit drugs and that, once this is achieved, a reduction in property crime, domestic abuse, and much violent crime will follow. Furthermore, your Committee finds that, while much of the past and present efforts relating to illicit drugs have focused on reducing the drug supply, this bill is aimed at reducing the demand or the need for illicit drugs and providing supplemental funding for substance abuse treatment prevention and treatment services.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 996, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.