STAND. COM. REP. NO.  286-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2556

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 2556 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to combat substance abuse and to help people recovering from substance abuse by appropriating funds to:

     (1)  Increase substance abuse services for youth and adolescents; and

     (2)  Establish additional therapeutic living programs to increase access for newly-recovering addicts.

     The Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Aloha House, Inc., and many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2556 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

ROY TAKUMI, Chair