1. United States
2. Hawaii
3. Letter

I am appalled and angry that despite all the deaths and trauma caused by the opioid crisis Hawaii has declined to be transparent on how to spend the over 30 million dollars from the opioid settlement. The victims of this crisis deserve to know that steps are being taken to reduce opioid-related deaths. Steps like constructing safe injection sites, increasing public awareness about opioids, investing in overdose treatments, and researching other preventative measures. But since Hawaii has refused to even promise to not to misuse the funds, how can we the public know that everything is being done to ensure that the crisis in Hawaii won't get any worse? Reverse this now, the people in Hawaii deserve to know that their leaders are doing everything in their power to keep them safe, and to make sure that the funds are being spent appropriately. For all we know you can be using the monies for your salaries, the upkeep of the capital building, or for building an unnecessary expansion of H1. This level of transparency is the bare minimum, it's humiliating that I even have to ask for this. People are hurting, and it's your job to ensure they get the help they need. We want to trust our government, so you have to do the work to do so. Be transparent about these opioid settlements and commit yourselves to using the monies wisely.