U.S. ATTORNEY SPEAKS ON DRUG PROBLEM, LISTENS TO SOLUTIONS

U.S. Attorney for Hawaii Ed Kubo opened his speech last Tuesday at
Kaunakakai Elementary with some harsh statistics about his home state.

"Number one in the nation for drug use, number one in the nation for
theft and property crime," the Honolulu-born lawyer said, citing
figures from 2000 and 2002, respectively.

"And that deeply hurt me, because as a culture that's not what we're
about."

Kubo told the audience of about 30 Molokai residents that he came to
Molokai to gauge the problem of crystal meth (or "ice") and
understand the needs of the community, so that he can suggest funding
opportunities in the future.

Calling methamphetamine the "worst drug that we have ever seen" in
Hawaii, Kubo explained that the drug first appeared in 1985, and came
from Philippines and Korea. Now, he said, it's mostly coming from
Mexico by airplane, mail and boat.

Kubo also explained why Hawaii has been targeted. In El Paso, Mexico
a pound of crystal meth can be sold for $2,500, which may seem like a
lot, until you consider that in L.A. that same pound can be sold for
$7,000. And in Hawaii? Nearly $30,000.

Kubo also shared some images from his drug prevention presentations.
Kubo showed the group an image of a healthy brain, and contrasted
that with a picture of a brain after it had been affected by four
years of meth use. Black clouds marked the dead brain cells, cells
that would never function properly again.

He also showed mug shots of users, pointing to sunken cheekbones,
thinning hair and the gruesome 'meth mouth'- a side effect that
causes teeth to break off and rot.

But Kubo had a happier ending to his brief presentation, sharing some
of the successes seen on Oahu and the Big Island. Through a federal
program called Weed and Seed, communities like Honolulu and 'Ewa
Beach have seen drug-related crime drop.

"It starts with pulling criminals out, arresting and giving them hard
time," Kubo said, "it's all about empowering the community."

Through graffiti fighting initiatives, neighborhood watch programs,
and events like free movies on the wall, Kubo said Hawaii has become
a model in the nation of how community building can help solve the
problem of crime and drug abuse.

Kubo also cited various statistics that showed a drop in ice use in
those areas in 2004, after the Weed and Seed programs had been
implemented.

Kubo ended his presentation by explaining that his term in office
will end when President Bush leaves, though there is a possibility
the next president will extend his appointment as U.S. Attorney for
Hawaii.

But, Kubo added, "till the time they blow the whistle and I got to
get out of the pool, I'll be with the community."

Following the speech, various individuals addressed the audience
about their concerns, understanding, hopes and visions regarding the
problem of drug abuse in their community.

First up was Wayde Lee, who runs a 21-day youth rehabilitation
program. Pointing out that it costs over $2,100 a day to incarcerate
one person, Lee suggested an 'ohana based' approach to treatment.

By putting the whole family in treatment, Lee explained, "you find
out who's stable in the family" and help relatives understand how
they can assist in the recovery process.

Lee also criticized what he called the "fragmented services" of
traditional rehabilitation programs. He said the system breaks up the
family, applies the law too late after the damage has been done, and
said, "there is no place in jail to ask for forgiveness, to heal."

And if relatives use drugs, Lee added, the family home isn't an
appropriate place for a person straight out of treatment to make a
new start.

Lee proposed a place called Ho'oponopono, a place that could host
three families at a time, where they could go to spend time together
and work through the issue of drug abuse.

Lee said this program would also develop healers who would, in turn,
help drug users rehabilitate in years to come.

Similar to what is practiced in Indian reservations, this process
would include asking for forgiveness from relatives and members of
the community they've wronged.

"Give them pride in who they are and what they stand for," he
said.

Next up was Shari Lynn of Ka Hale Pomaikai recovery center, who spoke
about the issue of post-treatment recovery. She said people who have
gone through treatment programs suffer from a lack of support from
families or community because their drug problem has, on the surface,
disappeared.

She said, "that's why, so many years later, they're jumping off the
cliff," referring to a statistic earlier in the evening that cited a
rise in suicide rates related to the rise in ice use.

Lynn reiterated Lees' message that Molokai needs a family-based
approach to drug abuse.

"Cause family is forever."

She was also one of many who asked for Kubo's assistance in finding
funds for these programs.

"I feel if you give us the means we can help to heal our own
people."

Community police officer Lonnie Caparida then spoke to the group
about his passion for taking down drug dealers. But he also said
that, as law enforcement officers, they must detect, arrest,
prosecute - and help.

Caparida added, "I think the state drops the ball" on the fourth
aspect, and that the "revolving door" of prisons is a sign that they
are not doing their job properly.

Addressing the audience at the end of the night, Kubo said "I have a
good feeling about our Hawaiian culture and how we can help
ourselves," adding that because he is in office for 14 more months,
he promises to be in Molokai more.

When asked about why Hawaii has fallen prey to ice abuse so badly,
Kubo said, "I think it's because our people are living in some of the
most depressed areas." He said it's not just about socio-economic
status, but "how they feel based on their environment. The
deterioration of the soul leads to drug abuse"

In the same way that people use alcohol to put their problems behind
them, Kubo said, he feels Hawaiian have turned to meth to avoid
dealing with the changing environment of their 'aina, and the
resulting threats to their culture.

But, added Kubo, the evening's presentations showed that people are
coming together and finding common ground.

"One person or one group cannot do it alone," Kubo said, but when the
forces come together a lot can be done.