STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1642

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 367

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 367, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce the incidence of alcohol and drug abuse.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Encourages emergency room physicians to offer to refer patients whom they believe abuse drugs or alcohol, to alcohol and drug abuse screening and counseling; and

     (2)  Appropriates an unspecified amount to establish a two-year pilot program, to be administered by the John A. Burns School of Medicine, to offer screening, brief intervention, and treatment referral, within the emergency department of a major urban medical facility in Honolulu.

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Board of Medical Examiners.  The Department of Health, the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, and a concerned licensed social worker submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that screening, counseling, and referral to treatment programs are effective techniques to reduce alcohol and drug problems.  An emergency room setting offers an opportunity when patients are most receptive to intervention and counseling to address underlying drug or alcohol issues.  Your Committee further finds that this measure provides a means to maximize this opportune moment to intervene and offer outreach to help treat drug and alcohol problems.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by removing the existing language and replacing it with S.B. No. 1481, S.D. 2, which establishes and funds a pilot program for screening, brief intervention, and referral to substance abuse treatment.  Your Committee believes the language of S.B. No. 1481, S.D. 2, more clearly describes the model federal program upon which the envisioned pilot program is based.

     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. 367, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 367, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair