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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2349 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the timely treatment of chronic substance abusers can significantly reduce emergency and medical costs, as well as homelessness and arrest rates. Following state cutbacks in community health services in 2009, which included funding reductions for substance abuse and mental health services, emergency room charges for those with severe mental illness and substance abuse increased forty-six per cent in a three-year period to nearly $31,700,000. Similarly, inpatient charges for the same population during the same period rose nearly 22.6 per cent to nearly $66,700,000.
During fiscal year 2013-2014, state drug and alcohol treatment efforts were further reduced by $404,000 as a result of federal sequester cuts. The impact of this federal fund reduction can be measured by the loss of treatment services for more than one hundred individuals with substance abuse disorders. Failure to provide treatment for one hundred individuals with substance abuse disorders will cost Hawaii many millions of dollars during the next three years, as measured in increased costs associated with the inappropriate utilization of emergency and hospital services, incarceration, and adverse impacts on tourism and local businesses.
The legislature further finds that Hawaii continues to experience an increase in the number of homeless persons suffering from substance abuse and mental illness during the past several years. The 2013 Point in Time Count measuring the state's homeless population on a specific day showed an 11.9 per cent year-over-year rise in severely mentally ill homeless and a one hundred twenty-six per cent increase in those with chronic substance abuse problems, even though several thousand homeless substance abusers were excluded from this study because they were enrolled in residential substance abuse treatment programs or were residing in temporary housing situations.
Moreover, Hawaii has experienced an increase in arrests of homeless persons with substance abuse and mental health problems. Recent data from the Honolulu police department emergency psychological service and jail diversion program indicate that between 2010 and 2012, arrests of homeless persons tripled overall, while arrests of homeless people with substance abuse and mental illness quadrupled. In 2012, forty-four per cent of everyone arrested on Oahu suffered from severe substance abuse, severe mental illness, or both.
The purpose of this Act is to provide funding for a statewide pilot program to treat chronic, substance-dependent adults.
SECTION 2. The department of health shall establish a statewide pilot program to provide treatment services, including individual, group, and family counseling; intensive care management and referral; medication management; cognitive-behavioral skill training; and daily living skills, and supportive services, including housing assistance, employment training, job placement, and continuing care support, to chronic, substance-dependent adults.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the pilot program described in section 2 of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Drug and Alcohol Treatment; Substance Abuse; Pilot Program; Appropriation
Description:
Makes an appropriation of $500,000 for a pilot program to provide treatment and supportive services to chronic, substance-dependent adults.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.