Lingle urged to OK drug funds

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Drug treatment providers and advocates yesterday called new laws to battle Hawai'i's crystal methamphetamine problem a good start and encouraged Gov. Linda Lingle to release money for more drug treatment and prevention programs.

The Legislature last week overrode Lingle's veto of an omnibus bill that includes new ice-related offenses and penalties and requires health insurance plans to offer the same level of benefits for drug abuse as they do other illnesses.

Lingle let a bill appropriating $14.7 million largely for treatment and prevention programs become law without her signature. But the governor has said the appropriations would put a stress on available resources and that she does not know whether she will release all or most of the money until she evaluates the entire budget plan.

"We are going to do whatever we can to keep this issue alive in a constructive way," said Anthony Pfaltzgraff, group vice president and co-executive director of the YMCA of Honolulu.

"I think what we're trying to do is to see if there is some compromise available so key parts of the money can be released that would directly address adolescents and directly address the adult population," Pfaltzgraff said. "We don't expect to get all of it this year, but to wait a year to bring money forward for some of these services — it's really dangerous."

M.P. "Andy" Anderson, CEO of Hina Mauka, a drug and alcohol treatment provider, said providers and community leaders are just appreciative of the appropriations to expand publicly-funded drug treatment.

"I think it speaks for the communities," he said. "I think it speaks for all the people that stepped forward, that really jumped into the middle of wanting to make their lives and their family's lives better."

Anderson called the measures a "great start" but said more will need to be done next year, particularly in the area of treatment.

"Hopefully there might be a spirit of some collaboration between the two," Anderson said, referring to Republican Lingle and the Democratic Legislature. "I hope we see that coming about because that will make the difference."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.