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 S.B. No. 2505, S.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide an unspecified appropriation to extend adolescent school-based substance abuse treatment programs to middle and intermediate schools, with priority to schools having the greatest need.

Your Committee finds that the use of alcohol and other drugs by adolescents can lead to dangerous activities, such as reckless driving, premature and unprotected sex, and violence. Substance abuse treatment programs for students help stop these kinds of behavior. These programs provide an effective method to assist adolescents in a timely manner and succeeds in avoiding more costly treatment, avoiding school dropout problems, and producing functional adults.

Although the Department of Health currently provides services that address student abuse of alcohol and other drugs, these programs are not available in all middle and intermediate schools.

This measure appropriates an unspecified amount to extend adolescent school-based substance abuse treatment programs to middle and intermediate schools, with a priority given to schools with the greatest need.

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 S.B. No. 2505, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Education.