Appropriates funds to DOH to support increased school-based substance abuse treatment programs for middle schools.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that abuse of illicit substances is a serious health and safety issue facing the youth of Hawaii. In 2003, the department of health released the findings of a study documenting adolescent drug use trends in Hawaii over the last fifteen years, entitled "Hawaii Student Alcohol, Tobacco, And Other Drug Use Study (1987-2003): Hawaii Adolescent Prevention And Treatment Needs Assessment" (DOH Study). The DOH study found that seven per cent, or more than 6,500 public school students between grades six and twelve, require treatment for substance abuse.

The DOH study surveyed grades six through twelve on the use of six substances: alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and club drugs. It states that, "because of the high likelihood that substance abuse by adolescents will turn into a dependency problem, students are considered needing treatment, or at least screening for treatment, if they meet either a dependence or abuse diagnosis for any of the six substance classifications. Dependence is the most severe diagnosis and includes physiological symptoms, such as tolerance and withdrawal, and behavioral symptoms, such as impaired control over the use of a substance. Abuse is a residual category for those . . . who use substances in dangerous situations or who use substances despite having problems related to their substance use."

According to the DOH study, in 2003, one per cent of sixth graders and three per cent of eighth graders met the criteria for needing substance abuse treatment. It found that approximately half of the students who need treatment require help for both alcohol and drug abuse. Further, estimated statewide treatment needs for public school students in grades six through twelve are: 2,067 students (two per cent) for alcohol abuse only; 1,753 students (two per cent) for drug abuse only; 2,713 students (three per cent) for both alcohol and drug abuse; and 6,525 students (seven per cent) for any substance abuse. Across all grade levels, incidence of alcohol use is higher, and onset is earlier, than for all other substances.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to support increased school-based department of health substance abuse treatment programs for middle schools.

SECTION 2. 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 2006-2007 to support increased statewide school-based substance abuse treatment programs for middle schools.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.