Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2409 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for the County of Hawaii community anti-drug fund for expenditure on drug and substance abuse efforts.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Assistant of Hawaii County.

Your Committees find that drug abuse, and particularly the use of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," is the greatest threat to a community's health and public safety on the island of Hawaii. Grass roots community involvement is a necessary element in combating this plague on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committees further find that, on the Big Island:

The County of Hawaii has established the community anti-drug fund and implemented various drug and substance abuse services and programs, such as the "healing our island fund," which is based on the community anti-drug fund. The healing our island fund was established two years ago and thus far one hundred thirty community groups have received grants to address drug and other substance abuse services and programs.

The efforts funded from the community anti-drug fund have been very well-received in the community for the past two years. Its purpose, to provide support to grass roots and community-based anti-drug efforts, has encouraged a number of communities to collaborate and cooperate in prevention efforts to address substance abuse issues.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2409 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.