HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0314.023 1996-1998 \1111//
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Hawaii Island
July 2, 1997
James Arakaki
Council Chair
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
TESTIMONY SUPPORTING ACCEPTING FEDERAL FUNDS FOR
MARIJUANA ERADICATION
Council Chair Arakaki and council members, thank you for giving me this
opportunity to testify in favor of the acceptance of federal funds for the
eradication of marijuana. My name is Susan Labrenz and I am the Executive
Director of the YWCA of Hawaii Island.
The YWCA of Hawaii Island works with the Hamakua community to prevent the
use of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs. We serve first time juvenile offenders
who admit their guilt through our Teen Court program. We serve thousands of
families through our Child Care, Healthy Start, Aquatics, Fitness Education, and
Sexual Assault Support Services. We are well aware of the many social
problems confronting our community.
I urge the County Council to authorize the acceptance of federal funds to assist
the Police Department in the eradication of marijuana. Using federal dollars to
tackle this portion of our problem, allows the County to use local resources for
other issues. I concur that marijuana is not the only drug in our community. I also
agree that its effects may not be the most harmful. However, it does exist and it
is harmful and there are funds available to eradicate it.
I trust that this is not the only action our county government is taking to alleviate
the many problems faced by our community. This federal grant combined with
other federal, state, county and private dollars, will help our community address
the causes of drug use and the elimination of all unlawful drugs.
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A United Way Agency JUL ~ ~ 1997
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145 Ululani Street t Hilo, Hawaii 96720 t Telephone (808) 935-7141 t Fax (808) 935-5150
75-5759 Kuakini Highway, Suite103C t Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 tTelephone (808) 334-0308 t Fax (808) 334-0406