HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0399.011 2024-2026Mitch Tam
79-7123 Mamalahoa Highway #1
Holualoa, Hawaii 96725
lionmitch@gmail.com
808.756.3838
01 September 2025
To: Hawaii County Council Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi, and Council Members
Subject: Strong support of Bill 71- A lifesaving measure in every community. Why Hawaii
County must require Naloxone in our liquor serving establishments.
Aloha Chair Inaba, Vice Chair Onishi and County Councilmembers
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My name is Mitch Tam. I am a dedicated community supporter, a Past District Governor with
District 50 Hawai'i Lions, and for the past year and a half, an active member of the Hawai'i
Island Fentanyl Task Force. I appear before you today to urge the Hawai'i County Council to
pass Bill 71—an urgently needed and effective tool in the fight against the opioid epidemic.
Alcohol is the most accessible and common substance involved in polysubstance overdose
deaths. When combined with opioids—whether prescription painkillers, heroin, or fentanyl—
alcohol magnifies their effects and dramatically increases the risk of fatal respiratory failure.
Importantly, the risk is not limited to those we might label as "addicts." It could just as easily
affect a family member, a friend, a student, a visitor, or any member of our community.
Bill 71 matters because:
1. It Saves Lives Immediately. Naloxone is a safe, proven antidote that can restore
breathing within minutes during an opioid overdose.
2. It Eases the Burden on First Responders. Empowering bartenders and managers to act
in the first critical minutes can stabilize a situation before EMS arrives, keeping police
and fire services available for other emergencies.
3. It Demonstrates Community Responsibility. This measure signals that our community
prioritizes health and safety, while positioning local businesses as leaders in responsible
hospitality.
4. It Reduces Stigma. Treating overdose response as a basic medical skill —like CPR —
normalizes naloxone use and encourages individuals to seek help without fear or shame.
5. It Protects Businesses and Patrons. Preventing fatal overdoses protects lives while also
reducing the legal, reputational, and emotional consequences for business owners and
their staff.
Comm. o
Ref. To:
Ref. Date SEP - 3 2025
Bill 71 is a public health response to a clear and present danger. Just as we require fire
extinguishers to fight fires and AEDs to treat cardiac arrest, we must provide the tools necessary
to prevent opioid-related deaths.
This is a low-cost, high -impact measure that places human life above stigma and convenience.
By passing Bill 71, we choose to be a community that is prepared, compassionate, and
committed to protecting one another.
I respectfully ask that you approve the adoption of Bill 71.
Mahalo nui
Mitch Tam