Methamphetamine Abuse in Hawaii
DEA Assessment:
- Crystal methamphetamine (ice) is the drug of choice in Hawaii and is considered by far the most significant drug threat.
- Ice abuse and associated violent crimes, such as domestic abuse, child neglect, hostage situations, and homicides continue to increase throughout the entire island state.1
Methamphetamine Use among State Population (2002-2005):
7% of persons aged 12 or older reported using meth one or more times during their life.2
2.1% of young adults aged 18-25 reported past year methamphetamine use.
1.1% of persons aged 12 or older reported past year methamphetamine use.3
Methamphetamine Use among High School Students (2005):
4% of students reported using methamphetamine one or more times during their life.4
Drug Offenses:
74% of 2005 Federal Drug Cases in Hawaii involved methamphetamine. 5
Lab Incidents:
There were 3 lab seizures in 2006.6
Treatment Admissions for Methamphetamine Abuse:
2,624 treatment admissions for methamphetamine/amphetamine abuse in 2005;
39% of all drug abuse treatment admissions.7
State Laws Pertaining to Precursor Chemicals:
Sales of nonexempt PSE products limited to 3 packages or 9 grams of PSE per transaction unless dispensed pursuant to a prescription: Products must be kept in an area that is in direct line of sight of an employee at the check-out station or counter; Any person 'transporting' PSE who are not otherwise registered with DPS to conduct business involving controlled substances must obtain a pseudo ephedrine permit if 'transporting' more than 3 packages of any PSE containing product. 8
Honolulu Police Department Meth Info
Coalition for Drug Free Hawaii
Price is high, but so is promise of new ice addiction therapy
Triple threat helps loosen meth's icy grip on addicts
Keep up good work fighting crystal meth
State ATR Resources
Hawai'i State Department of Health
ATR Highlights
Program at a Glance
| 3-Year Total Grant Amount: | $8,112,500 |
| Target Population: | Adults in need of treatment, those currently in treatment and those discharged from substance abuse treatment within the last 2 years. |
| Target Areas: | The Island of Oahu, City and County Honolulu. |
SAIS: March 31, 2009
SAIS: March 31, 2009
Program Contacts
| Project Name: | Hawaii Access to Recovery Project |
| Project Director: | Bernie Strand (808)692-7619 |
| Government Project Officer: | Linda Fulton (240)276-1573 |
| Single State Authority: | Keith Yamamoto (808)692-7506 |
| Governor: | Linda Lingle (808)586-0034 |
"Two problems were resolved with consolidated effort: low client enrollment and low provider compensation."
Hawaii Expands Recovery Support Services &
Exceeds Target Recruitment
Chart depicts percent of clients that received each service. SAIS: March 31, 2009
The Hawaii ATR targets a wide range of substance using adults, including those who are in need of treatment, are currently in treatment, or have been discharged from treatment within the last 2 years. This population includes people with open, active Child Welfare Service cases, those with criminal justice involvement who have returned to the community on some form of supervised release, and dual-diagnosis clients working with mental health providers. The program's geographic target is the Island of Oahu, City and County of Honolulu.
This quarter, the program expanded its array of recovery support services (RSS). Case management (49.5%) and peer-to-peer services (33.0%) still represent the majority of services, according to SAIS distribution data. However, education RSS increased over the past quarter to 11.3%, and after care services, added this quarter, accounted for 6.3%.
Project staff successfully overcame earlier recruiting challenges and exceeded the target goal of 1,096 by 521 clients, enrolling 1,617 participants. Staff had proactively expanded its outreach efforts and intensified provider training to boost enrollment. Abstinence outcomes, which are objective indicators of the success of the program, also rebounded significantly this quarter as Hawaii ATR clients experienced an increase in abstinence of 55.0% based on a comparison between intake and discharge data.
HAWAII ATR FOCUSES ON MARKETING, TRAINING, AND MONITORING
During the quarter, Hawaii ATR II continues its full implementation of the electronic Voucher Management System (VMS) through implementation of the Web Infrastructure for Treatment Services (WITS). Direct upload into SAIS is currently effective in generating near real-time tracking of client enrollment, voucher issuance, fund encumbrance, and vouchers redeemed.
HI - ATR II also conducted three hours of marketing strategies training to 10 provider organizations, four RSS Unit and ATR II staff while a customized marketing training session was provided to 15 providers. HI - ATR II staff also presented ATR orientation and other advanced level trainings to case workers and supervisors. With these efforts, conducted at local provider facilities, HI-ATR II is better positioned to increase meth client enrollment and providers are better positioned to showcase their programs to other agencies while building partnerships that extend beyond Hawaii ATR II. Additionally this quarter, HI-ATR II implemented an ACCESS hotline for clients, which has enabled ATR staff to coordinate potential referrals and client engagement activities with recovery support services units. This well-known, trusted, community information line allows clients to be referred to RSS in a confidential manner. HI-ATR II also continues to implement a solid fraud, waste, and abuse prevention and detection system. Its program matic monitoring efforts have included fiscal audits, electronic tracking and client surveys. No substantiated instances of fraud, waste or abuse occurred this quarter.
Faith and Community based Provider Updates
SAIS: March 31, 2009
Based on the data ending March 31, 2009, 52% of the providers that have received and redeemed vouchers were faith-based organizations. This demonstrates HI-ATR's success with engaging faithbased organizations.
Bi-monthly provider forums were initiated with RSS units and existing and emerging provider organizations, providing a vehicle for information-sharing, presentations and trainings within the ATR provider network. ATR provider manuals were issued to all RSS units and providers and elements of the voucher system training were disseminated as part of the provider manual. Expansion of this material continues to be on-going.
Success Story: HI-ATR Leverages Existing Partnerships to Improve Program Performance
Prior to a SAMHSA sponsored technical assistance (TA) visit on provider development, HI ATR staff and their network providers had struggled with meeting the target objectives of the grant.
However, as a result of the TA, HI-ATR uncovered a wealth of client referrals from within its own service provider networks who were already utilizing services.
By enrolling these previously unidentified clients, HI-ATR was able to compensate providers for services provided to clients in the ATR covered-service categories. Two problems were resolved with a consolidated effort: low client enrollment and low provider compensation.
Through ATR, the State of Hawaii has been able to successfully expand service capacity among its provider network. For example, services that previously have not been part of the traditional system are now funded and available for ATR clients.
Enrollment, service array and expenditures increased, and HI-ATR continues to have a fairly concentrated and manageable provider network since the State already had a relationships with most of the participating agencies.