LINGLE-AIONA ADMINISTRATION TO RELEASE $7.3 MILLION TO CONTROL SUBSTANCE ABUSE
For Immediate Release: September 28, 2004
HONOLULU – Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. today announced the Lingle-Aiona Administration has approved the release of an additional $7.3 million for various drug control programs statewide.
The funds are in addition to the $219,000 released earlier this month for the Big Island Substance Abuse Center, and $3,172,419 that was transferred to the Judiciary to expand drug court programs on the neighbor islands. All of the funds were appropriated as part of Act 40 SLH 2004, a law enacted this year to control the use of illegal substances in the state.
“I am confident the money will be utilized as effectively as possible in helping to address some of the drug problems in our state,” said Lt. Governor Aiona.
The funds to be released include:
$450,000 to continue school-based treatment programs at four high schools on the Big Island (Hilo, Honoka`a, Kealakehe and Laupahoehoe) and one on O`ahu (Radford);
$350,000 to expand the Weed and Seed Program in communities that meet federal guidelines;
$730,000 for two adolescent treatment facilities—the Bobby Benson Center on O`ahu and the Maui Youth & Family Center (pending confirmation of capacity levels);
$2,000,000 for substance abuse prevention, including drug education and awareness in schools and communities, non-school youth activities, education and support for families and parenting women, and community mobilization efforts;
$3,781,000 for adult treatment services, including family counseling focusing on pregnant women, parents of young children, and Native Hawaiians.
The Lt. Governor made the announcement today at the final meeting of community-based action planning groups. Ninety individuals have met in a series of 10 meetings over the past five months to develop an action plan that builds on recommendations drafted by 350 attendees of the Hawai`i Drug Control Strategy Summit held in September 2003. Committee members were selected on the basis of their expertise, community involvement, geographic distribution, visionary abilities, diverse viewpoints and willingness to engage in collaborative activities.
The five action groups – Community Mobilization, Legal Issues, Multi-Sector Collaboration, Prevention and Treatment – worked to identify opportunities to improve the system of services addressing illicit drugs and underage drinking in Hawai`i. They were asked to develop short- and long-term goals, first outlining action steps to be implemented within the next two to three years, then outlining a long-term plan to guide the state through the next 10 to 20 years.
“Our Administration will continue to work with the community-based action planning groups to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy for controlling illegal substance and alcohol abuse,” said Aiona. “Rather than focusing only on immediate solutions, we are working with the community to improve the structure for delivering critical substance abuse services – including treatment, prevention and interdiction – in order to maximize long-term success and effectiveness.”
For more information, visit the Hawai`i Drug Control Strategy Web site at: http://www.hawaii.gov/hawaiidrugcontrolstrategy.
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For more information, contact:
Celyn Chong Kee
Public Liaison
Office of the Lt. Governor
Phone: 586-0255
Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Office of the Governor
Phone: 586-7705
Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Office of the Governor
Phone: 586-0043
