REP FC 127 10/04/2011 2010-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE DATE: October 4, 2011 PLACE: Council Chambers Hilo, Hawaii TIME: 1:37 p.m. Council Chair and Members Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: Comm. No. 378/Res. No. 162 -11 Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution No. 162 -11, reports as follows: Resolution No. 162 -11, transmitted jointly with Bill No. 108 by Finance Director Nancy Crawford via Communication No. 378, dated September 22, 2011, authorizes the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to support and participate in the Hawaii Airport Task Force Effort. The U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is providing Federal funds of $17,202.25 for the purpose of supporting the Prosecuting Attorney's office's participation in the Hawaii Airport Task Force program. The goal of this program is to disrupt narcotics and dangerous drug trafficking in Hawaii. Pursuant to Section 46 -7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, County Departments must obtain the consent of the Council to enter into agreements with the federal or state governments respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by law to furnish, expend and receive any funds or other assistance in connection with projects being or to be undertaken pursuant to those powers. Acting Prosecuting Attorney Charlene Y. Iboshi appeared before Your Committee. Ms. Iboshi commented that the resolution allows them to enter an agreement with the DEA to investigate and disrupt pharmaceutical drug trafficking. There is an increasing problem on the Island of Hawaii and nationwide in pharmaceutical drug trafficking. The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney has an experienced investigator who worked at the State level on pharmaceutical investigations. These funds will be available to pay for overtime for investigations needing his expertise. This funding also addresses overdoses and impaired driving caused by pharmaceutical drugs whether the drugs are obtained using the patient's own or someone else's prescription. The increasing problems of pharmaceutical drug overdoses and impaired driving accidents were brought to the attention of the Prosecutor's office by the doctors of local hospitals. This funding will also assist with better investigation and prosecution by their office to address home burglaries that specifically target pharmaceuticals which are then sold illegally. FC Rept. No. 127