Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698748357123.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.

20-127/H&SA SUBJECT: ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,624, TO FUND THE SPF-PFS PROJECT.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 The Honorable Wesley W. Simina Speaker, Twentieth Congress Federated States of Micronesia Fifth Regular Session, 2018 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Health and Social Affairs to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

20-127, entitled: “A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,624 FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT ENTITLED: “FSM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS SPF-PFS PROJECT”, INCLUDING ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ASSISTANCE.”, begs leave to report as follows: The intent and purpose of the resolution are expressed in its title.
Your Committee held a hearing on September 25, 2018, the witnesses present included: the Department of Health and Social Affairs, including the Acting Secretary and his key staff, a representative from the Office of the President, and representatives the Department of Justice and the Department of Finance and Administration.

SCRL 20-110/CR 20-127/H&SA Committee STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.

20-127/H&SA SUBJECT: ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,624, TO FUND THE SPF-PFS PROJECT.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 The projects and programs funded by the substance abuse and mental health grant are well known to your Committee.

These programs are long-standing and valuable to our Nation.

The Committee is very supportive of all programs that show results in the reduction of alcohol, tobacco and drug use among our citizens, particularly our youth.
However, the Committee voiced its concern that this particular grant has been active for several years and there does not appear to be a reduction in the risk behaviors of our youth.

The particular project to be funded by this grant works to prevent underage drinking in our Nation.

The Department of Health & Social Affairs and the Department of Justice advised the Committee that the legal drinking age in all the four States is 21, and the project proposed would target the age group 12-20.
This project works only in the area of prevention.

While the Committee acknowledges that these activities are important it questioned the witnesses what was being done for the many citizens in our Nation who already suffer from the negative affects of addiction.

The Department of Health & Social Affairs had two members of the relevant program present to testify on this issue.
It stated that all activities were driven by requests from the individual states, and that moreover, that prevention activities rarely yield results in the short term.

It will only be as the current generation of young people become adults will the outcomes of the program be clear.

A positive example the success of prevention activities of this type is the long-term reduction in the rates of smoking in the FSM over approximately 25-year period.
The Committee notes that no current statistics have been provided to Congress regarding the extent of the problem of underage drinking, and of the current trends regarding this problem.

The Committee strongly urges the Department of Health & Social Affairs to provide the most recent statistics, and all other relevant information regarding this issue to the Committee at its earliest convenience.

-2- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.
20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.

20-127/H&SA SUBJECT: ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,624, TO FUND THE SPF-PFS PROJECT.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 Each state will be provided a portion of these funds, the division largely made according to the population of each state, and its own individual plans.

The Committee notes with appreciation that all of the funding will go down to the state level for activities that will reach our youth.

Several organizations in each state will receive funding from this grant.
The Committee requests information regarding the activities and outputs from each of these organizations as well.

The Committee was provided a detailed budget and this is attached for the review of members.

A budget summary is attached to this report for reference of the members.

The Committee notes that additional information on this program is included in Presidential Communication No.

20-291 dated August 22, 2018.


Your Committee is strongly supportive of any efforts to improve the health of our young people, particularly regarding prevention of underage drinking, and it is therefore, for the reasons set forth above, your Committee on Health and Social Affairs supports the grant activities proposed to be funded, it is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.20-127, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto.

-3- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.
20-89 RE: C.R.

NO.

20-127/H&SA SUBJECT: ACCEPTING A GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $950,624, TO FUND THE SPF-PFS PROJECT.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2018 Respectfully submitted, /s/ Ferny S. Perman Ferny S. Perman, chairman Alik L. Alik, vice chairman /s/ /s/ Tiwiter Aritos /s/ /s/ Florencio S. Harper Tiwiter Aritos, member Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ David W. Panuelo, member Joseph J. Urusemal, member /s/ /s/ Joseph J. Urusemal /s/ /s/ Derensio S. Konman Derensio S. Konman, member -4-