STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1745

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 103

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 103 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE INCLUSION OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL INTERVENTION TREATMENT PROGRAMS, WELLNESS PLANS, AND HOLISTIC LIVING SYSTEMS OF CARE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII'S RESPONSE TO THE RISE OF MISUSE AND ABUSE OF OPIOIDS OR ILLICIT SUBSTANCES IN HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the inclusion of Native Hawaiian cultural intervention treatment programs, wellness plans, and holistic living systems of care in the State's response to the rise of misuse and abuse of opioids or illicit substances in Hawaii.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Ali‘i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, Living Life Source Foundation, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Papa Ola Lōkahi, Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, a petition signed by over sixty-five individuals, and eight individuals.

Your Committees find that substance misuse and substance use disorders cost the United States more than $442,000,000,000 annually in crime, health care, and lost productivity. Studies show that risk factors, such as poverty, personal trauma, and cultural trauma, tend to be associated with increased rates of substance abuse. Your Committees further find that the Department of Health Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division has received national and international recognition in integrating holistic treatment systems, including those that support Native Hawaiian cultural programs. However, the Hawaii State Opioid Action Plan does not include cultural treatment programs as a primary focus, and the State's Opioid Initiative membership does not include advocates for Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian programs. Your Committees therefore find that this measure urges the inclusion of Native Hawaiian cultural intervention treatment programs, wellness plans, and holistic living systems of care in the State's response to the rise of misuse and abuse of opioid or illicit substances in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 103 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair