HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0990.032 1996-1998
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YWCA
Hawaii Island
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.
RECEIVED -
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145 Ululani Street # Hilo, Hawaii 96720 f Telephone (808) 935-7141 # Fax f b% -
75-5759 Kuakini Highway, Suite103C f Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 # Telephone (808) 334-0308 # Fax (808) 334-0406