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Law enforcement and harm-reduction advocates make opposing cases as Senate panel considers full repeal of paraphernalia statute
Summary
SB2418, which would repeal Hawaii's drug paraphernalia law, drew testimony from law enforcement warning of risks to public safety and loss of seizure authority, and from public-health and harm-reduction groups who said repeal would strengthen syringe-service and overdose-prevention programs. The committee deferred the measure for further work.
The Senate Judiciary Committee heard extensive testimony on SB2418, a proposal to repeal the drug paraphernalia offense under Hawaii's Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
Jared Rodula, deputy director for law enforcement, urged caution. "A complete repeal...we must urge you to use a lot of caution," he said, arguing that retaining paraphernalia offenses gives police authority to seize equipment used in illegal manufacture, such as pill…
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