The League of Women Voters of Hawai'i supports measures to develop effective solutions to problems associated with drug abuse and the unintended consequences of current drug policies. These solutions should emphasize prevention, education and drug abuse treatment, which are the longest lasting and cost effective means of addressing drug abuse and its societal impacts.

1. Embrace the pragmatic, evidence-based and cost-effective approach of harm reduction to reduce negative consequences associated with drug abuse.
2. Adopt a fiscally responsible approach to the problem by increasing state and county funding from new or redirected sources to support an array of drug treatment programs, particularly gender-responsive and culturally-based programs.
3. Improve the State’s administration of the existing medical marijuana program by moving it from the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Health and by addressing other patient concerns.
4. Promote the diversion of first time nonviolent offenders to treatment rather than incarceration.
5. Eliminate the use of mainland correctional facilities to promote family cohesion and rehabilitation.
6. Support the development and implementation of youth drug education programs that provide accurate, comprehensive, scientifically-based information.
7. Expand support for drug courts. Specifically, make permanent funding for the Hawai‘i Girls Court and enable the Court’s development of a girl-specific curriculum.
8. Support public health approaches towards pregnant and parenting women affected by substance abuse.