LT. GOVERNOR AIONA NOMINATED TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION (SAMHSA)

For Immediate Release: January 12, 2004

HONOLULU – In recognition of his leadership in the fight against illicit drug use, Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr. has been nominated to serve on the national advisory council of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).  SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Human Services, is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions treatment, and mental health service delivery systems.

Lt. Governor Aiona was nominated by SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie to serve on the 12-member committee, which provides counsel and recommendations on the activities and policies carried out by and through SAMHSA.  The advisory council addresses program priorities relating to co-occurring disorders, substance abuse treatment, strategic prevention, mental health, children and families, and criminal justice.

“I’m honored to be nominated to serve on this important committee,” said Lt. Governor Aiona.  “This is an acknowledgement of our state’s leadership in the fight against illicit substance abuse and the strong relationships we have formed at the national level.  It’s also an ideal opportunity for Hawai`i to be at the forefront of the nation’s fight against drugs as we continue to move ahead in developing and implementing our drug control strategy here at home.”

Last September, Curie participated in the Hawai`i Drug Control Strategy Summit, which was coordinated by the Lt. Governor.  During his visit, Curie presented Hawai`i with more than $4.8 million in federal grants to fight drug abuse, including a $3.6 million grant to treat residents with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders, an $893,986 federal grant to help prevent and treat the abuse of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”) on the Big Island, and $350,000 to the YMCA of Honolulu to prevent ice abuse among teens.

In November, Lt. Governor Aiona traveled to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of U.S. Drug Czar John Walters to participate in a planning session with experts in the field to update the nationwide drug control strategy.  In addition to the roundtable discussion, Lt. Governor Aiona met with Walters separately to brief him on the recommendations from the Hawai`i Drug Control Strategy Summit and to thank the Bush Administration for their support of Hawai`i’s initiatives.

Lt. Governor Aiona’s appointment is subject to approval by Secretary Tommy Thompson and President George W. Bush.  

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