BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS TARGETS DRUG USE

Meth Workshops, Classes To Be Held On Molokai

One of the best ways to fight illicit drug use on Molokai is to get
the community involved, said local police officer Stafford "Lani" Caparida.

Caparida is trying to do just that by taking part in a new project
spearheaded by Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Maui.

Meth 360 is a program designed to train local law enforcement
officials and representatives from community organizations on the
dangers and realities of crystal methamphetamine so that they can pass
this information on to the community through in-school presentations
and other community gatherings.

Caparida was one of seven Molokai residents to take part in the
training. Other participants included two other law enforcement
officials, Frank Lovelane from the Molokai Youth Center, Gail Crabbe
from the Molokai General Hospital, and Diane Dunnal with the Molokai
Community Service Council.

Caparida said the program is very simple and easy for everyone to
understand.

"I believe it has great potential. Not everybody knows about crystal
meth," he said.

Crystal meth (also known as ice, chalk, crank, crystal, fire, glass,
and speed) looks like white or slightly yellow crystal-like powder or
rock-like chunks. It is usually swallowed, injected, snorted or
smoked. According to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America it is
dangerous because it can cause psychotic, violent behavior, insomnia
and strokes. It has a high potential for abuse and addiction. The
Partnership says one in 12 teens in the United States have used meth
in their lifetime.

Caparida could not quantify the amount of drug abuse that occurs
locally, but he did say it is a serious problem.

"Even if only one person is being affected, it's a big deal," he said.
Because Molokai is a small island, and many people know each other,
many people are affected when people abuse drugs. For the police,
Caparida said it can often be hard to arrest people for drugs.

"It's sad because we often know the families. But sometimes it
[getting arrested] is a way for people to get help."

Helping youth and families is the main goal of the BBBS program, but
Meth 360 is just part of a larger initiative to target drug abuse in
Maui County.

On Aug. 5, BBBS announced a new partnership with the Partnership for a
Drug-Free America in Maui. This project will use media-based education
to reduce illicit drug use in the county.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters has long recognized the epidemic proportions
of substance abuse among our youth including tobacco, alcohol,
prescription drugs, cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana," said
Melissa Ross, executive director of BBBS.

According to the organization, research has shown that if a child
hears one anti-drug message a day, they are 38 percent less likely to
use drugs.

Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares was at the press conference and
said these initiatives are a great way to reach kids before they try
drugs for the first time.

"This is the way we must go because prevention is a whole lot cheaper
than treatment," she said.

Jonah Souza was also at the meeting to share his personal story. Souza
is a recovering drug abuser who said local community programs saved
his life.

Souza began abusing drugs at age 10 and was jailed after high school
for incidents involving drug abuse. During his lock-up, Souza had the
chance to get involved in community programs, including hula classes,
aimed at his rehabilitation.

"I learned more about culture [while in jail] than any other time
growing up," he said.

Souza said the programs allowed him to get over his addictions and now
he is volunteering to spread his message of survival and recovery to
others in the similar situations and to teach kids not to follow the
same path.

"I want to stop them from getting on drugs at a young age. I do it
because I know the kids deserve better," he said.

Cathy Dunn, with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, said one of
the goals is to get in front of the drugs before kids get a chance to
try them.

According to Dunn, 4,000 kids in America age 12 to 17 try an illicit
drug every day. In Hawaii, 11 percent of teens use drugs, with pain
relievers being one of the most abused drugs in the state. No local
numbers were available.

Dunn also said that the number-one reason teens use drugs is to deal
with school problems. This means, said Dunn, it is up to parents,
teachers and the whole community to play an active part in ending drug
use.

Back on Molokai, Dunnal, a social service assistant with Na Lei Mamo,
is playing her part.

"Where there is a will, there is a way. It was good for Big Brothers
Big Sisters to come out and do this," she said.

Dunnal said that through her work she sees first hand what meth can do
to individuals and families. But, she said, when someone offers help
that is a step forward. "Information is always important," said Dunnal.

The Meth 360 presentations throughout the community are likely to
start in the next month or so, said Caparida. Nurturing classes for
parents sponsored by The Institute for Family Enrichment will also
begin sometime in the fall, specific dates and locations have not yet
been determined. For more information visit www.bbbsnwgm.org or
www.drugfree.org.