HCR7

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine, also known as crystal meth or ice, is highly addictive; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine use occurs in all age groups and cuts across the socioeconomic spectrum; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine is known to cause irreversible brain damage and can lead to episodes of violent behavior, paranoia, anxiety, confusion, and insomnia; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine kills by causing heart failure, brain damage, and stroke; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine addiction can have a devastating impact on family structure; and

WHEREAS, in 2006, there were an estimated 731,000 current users of methamphetamine aged twelve or older in the United States, as reported by the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health; and

WHEREAS, in 2007, over forty-eight per cent of adults in treatment centers in the State identified methamphetamine as their drug of choice, according to the Hawaii Department of Health's Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division; and

WHEREAS, the drug's presence in Hawaii has been linked to increased property crime and violent crime; and

WHEREAS, crystal methamphetamine addiction constitutes a public health crisis that currently lacks a clearly effective treatment; and

WHEREAS, naltrexone has been shown to be effective for the treatment of alcohol dependence and holds promise for treating crystal methamphetamine addiction; and

WHEREAS, Vivitrol is an injectable form of naltrexone that provides a month of medication with just one dose; and

WHEREAS, Vivitrol is generally well tolerated, with low discontinuation rates due to adverse effects; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature urges the University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, to seek financial support from Alkermes or other sources to administer a two-year pilot study examining the treatment effects of Vivitrol on patients with crystal methamphetamine addiction; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that treatment be provided by Hina Mauka, in consultation with the John A. Burns School of Medicine; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the John A. Burns School of Medicine is requested to recommend appropriate dosages of Vivitrol as well as any necessary psychosocial interventions for inclusion in the study; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the John A. Burns School of Medicine and Hina Mauka are requested to report findings and recommendations on the pilot project to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Dean of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine, the Director of Health, and to the Chief Executive Officer of Hina Mauka.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Vivitrol Pilot Project; Crystal Methamphetamine Addiction; Ice; Hina Mauka; John A. Burns School of Medicine

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	7
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII