HONOLULU — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the state will receive just over $4 million in new federal funding to help respond to the growing crisis of methamphetamine misuse, as well as opioid misuse.
HONOLULU — U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced that the state will receive just over $4 million in new federal funding to help respond to the growing crisis of methamphetamine misuse, as well as opioid misuse.
This is the first year that this grant has allowed the flexibility to address stimulants, including meth. Previously, this grant could only be used to respond to the opioid epidemic.
This new funding and increased flexibility comes after Schatz called for more federal resources to respond to the meth crisis in December 2019.
“Meth misuse and addiction has been a serious problem in Hawai‘i for decades, but recently the meth-related death rate has skyrocketed,” said Schatz.
“This grant will help us put critical resources towards saving lives and combating this crisis.”
Hawai‘i has experienced some of the worst effects of meth misuse, making it an important public-health priority. In 2016, Hawai‘i had 6.8 meth-related deaths per 100,000 residents, three times the national rate of 2.4 deaths per 100,000 people.
how can we find out EXACTLY how this money is used? there is potential to belp a lot of people. IF it is spent in the right places.
Most if not all of the money is going to salaries.
Look at the Honolulu multi billion dollar rail project. 50 consultants with salaries of over $500,000 a year.
It’s a SAD fact but it’s the TRUTH.
Maybe we should be spending those funds to help open businesses again and paying our police forces to arrest those without masks. The unemployment is in chaos where many have not received or bye dates have ended where they live in Limbo. Now is not the time to fight a drug war that’s never going to end I dont care how much money you invest in this theory. They continually beat the system. You legalized medical marijuana good and fine but dont tell me Store front managers aren’t abusing this power. Its time to help people and our economy. Everyone’s so fearful about catching this serious virus. To combat this is allowing industries to operate and allow people to live again with masks and careful cleansing of stairs shops and restaurants. To regain health by opening Beaches where salt water was always a healing force sunshine and basking in the sun. Gyms to help people stay healthy let alone swimming. Kaua’i is well because we have a Mayor that acted quickly. Curfew, wear your mask but people in higher places went the extreme to hurt rather than help people. Loss of jobs, suicides, businesses closing. Crazy! I can go on and on but I am opposed to asking for funds for a continual battle going no where. Help the people get back into the life that we had with freedom of speech, to live to love one another as Ohana and Friends even if it meant travel and gatherings, movies. You separate people by 6 ft, we are still breathing the same air. Thank you for this time.