Mental health is at the core of many of the issues plaguing our communities in Hawaii and throughout the nation. At the legislature, we are continuing to address these issues to find solutions for the growing epidemic of violence and drug abuse.
Many of these issues are prevalent in our youth and are carried into adulthood. Bullying and depression are abundant in adolescent teens within our school systems and I have been probing our school administrators to take preventative measures to mitigate possible outlandish actions.
Some of the House bills (HB) that are moving forward this session include HB 2228 and HB 1908. These bills prohibit the use of “bump fire stock,” multiburst trigger activator and trigger cranks, and require individuals who are denied firearm permits to surrender their firearms and ammunition to the chief of police within a 48-hour window. It is our goal to impose stricter gun control laws to protect our residents, while still allowing hunting enthusiasts and “home protectors” their right to bear arms.
At the legislature, we are also working to tackle the growing opioid addiction here in Hawaii. This year, HB1924 HD1 is moving forward and authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and dispense an opioid antagonist to patients and to family members and caregivers of opioid patients without the need for a written, approved collaborative agreement. The bill also calls for the appropriation of funds for drug treatment for opioid abuse, methamphetamine abuse, prescription drug abuse and other drug or alcohol abuse.
There are still many other aspects that play into the mental health and stability of our residents which we are currently addressing, such as the shortage of psychiatrists and homelessness. If you would like to follow any of these bills or have any questions regarding legislation, call my office at 586-8510 and we will happily assist you.
Please join Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth and myself for a legislative talk story in Kohala. We will be meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. March 29 at the Kohala High School Cafeteria. Mitch and I will discuss the prevalent issues in our North Hawaii communities and share some the many ways that we are working to address each one.