Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2082 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide adolescent substance abusers with appropriate treatment by appropriating funds to support increased school-based substance abuse treatment programs for middle schools.

The Department of Health, Blueprint for Change, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Drug Policy Action Group, Hina Mauka, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and several concerned individuals supported this bill. The Department of Education supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that abuse of illicit substances is a serious health and safety issue facing the youth of Hawaii. It is estimated that more than 6,500 students in grades six through twelve statewide, need access to treatment for alcohol or drug abuse. A recent Department of Health (DOH) study found adolescents are at serious risk of developing drug or alcohol dependency problems and treatment must be made available to them as early as possible.

More can be done, however, to provide adequate coverage to address this problem. Our charter school system should not be ignored. Your Committee finds that it is important for DOH to assess the needs of our charter schools with regard to establishing school-based substance abuse treatment programs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2082 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.