THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2010
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to drug treatment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that opioid addiction is a growing problem in Hawaii. According to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in Hawaii have increased by eighty-three per cent from 2006 to 2014, a growth rate more than double the national average, and a majority of those deaths are a result of prescription opioids and heroin.

The legislature finds that methamphetamine abuse and addiction are also a growing problem in Hawaii. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, methamphetamine plays a role in over ninety per cent of drug convictions, more than triple the national average.

Drug treatment has been found to be a cost-effective way to reduce drug abuse. Money spent on drug treatment saves on law enforcement costs, crime costs, prison costs, and homelessness. Drug treatment is more cost effective than law enforcement, interdiction, and source control, due to lower costs per offender and lower recidivism rates.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for providing drug treatment to drug abusers.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the department of health to contract with outside vendors, contractors, and healthcare providers to provide drug treatment, to be allocated as follows:

(1) $250,000 to treat opioid abuse;

(2) $250,000 to treat methamphetamine abuse;

(3) $200,000 to treat heroin abuse;

(4) $150,000 to treat prescription drug abuse; and

(5) $150,000 to treat other drug abuse.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Drug Treatment; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for drug treatment for opioid abuse, methamphetamine abuse, heroin abuse, prescription drug abuse, and other drug abuse.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.