HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 340 Draft 01 2008-2010 OFFICE INFORMATION ONLY
Meeting: June 23, 2010 — Council Meeting (42 Session)
Action: Close File — June 23, 2010
Re:
Resolution 340 -10 /C- 819 /PSPRC -30
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COUNTY OF HAWAII • "%• STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 340 10
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE ORGANIZATION "LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGAINST PROHIBITION" IN ITS EFFORT TO ADDRESS THE ILLICIT USE OF
HARMFUL DRUGS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WHEREAS, the organization "Law Enforcement Against Prohibition" (LEAP) was
formed in 2002; and
WHEREAS, LEAP is made up of current and former members of the law enforcement
and criminal justice communities that have joined together to end the "War on Drugs," as these
individuals share a common perspective based on experience that current drug policy in the
United States is failing; and
WHEREAS, LEAP's perspectives, positions, and proposed policies are specifically
indicated in the attachment to this resolution, as labeled "LEAP Statement of Principles;" and
WHEREAS, the incidence of illegal drug usage continues to increase in our county; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use Health, in 2008, an
estimated 20.1 million Americans aged 12 or older were current (past month) illicit drug users,
meaning they had used an illicit drug during the month prior to the survey interview; and
WHEREAS, according to data from the 2007 National Household Survey on Drug Use
and Health:
• 114 million Americans age 12 or older (46% of the population) reported illicit drug use at
Least once in their lifetime;
• 14% reported use of a drug within the past year;
• 8% reported use of a drug within the past month; and
WHEREAS, according to an August 2009 report provided by the Department of the
Attorney General, arrests rates for Hawai`i County between 1999 and 2008 for possession of
marijuana have increased each year between 2001 and 2007, with a low of 86 and a high of 204,
and 177 arrests in 2008; and
WHEREAS, according to that same report, arrests rates for Hawai`i County between
1999 and 2008 for possession of opium or cocaine have increased each year between 2003 and
2007, with a low of 15 and a high of 49, and 30 arrests in 2008; and
WHEREAS, LEAP has rationally demonstrated why drug usage and arrests continue to
occur with no sign of slowing down or stopping; and
•
•
WHEREAS, according to LEAP, the United States of America will expend over $69
billion on an annual basis to continue illicit substance prohibition practices, otherwise known as •
the "War on Drugs;" and •
WHEREAS, this expenditure has been revealed as being counterproductive by LEAP,
which describes the "War on Drugs" as "the very definition of a failed public policy;" and
WHEREAS, the organization LEAP is dedicated to end the "War on Drugs" and restore
the public's respect for law enforcement; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that it
hereby registers its support for Law Enforcement Against Prohibition and its efforts to end the
"War on Drugs" and promote a more rational and humane approach with regard to use of drugs
by the citizens of the United States of America.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Mayor William Kenoi, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the
Police Chief of the Hawai`i County Police Department, and Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this day of , 2010.
INTRODUCED BY:
CO C , COUNTY OF HA API
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawai`i AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawai`i ENRIQUES
FORD
1 hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by GREEN WELL
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the HOFFMANN i •
County of Hawaii on
IKEDA
NAEOLE - BEASON
ATTEST: ONISHI
YAGONG
YOSHIMOTO
Reference: C- 819 /PSPEC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 340 10
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