DRUG SUMMIT PERPETUATED A FANTASY

The drug summit is now history with tens of thousands of words, much wringing
of hands, numerous pie-in-the-sky recommendations, but no money even to keep
pace with the numbers of addicts and related criminal activities.

During the summit, law enforcement officials trumpeted a raid on a major
Waipahu drug house arresting nine people, some of whom were arrested on a raid
at the same location some months prior. One of those arrested had 80 prior
arrests, a second had 50 prior arrests and a third had 41, but they were
released. In the latest raid, unless they had outstanding warrants, all were
again released pending further investigation. Not much of an incentive to
reform.

The spineless Legislature refuses to give our city prosecutor the tools to
fight this blight and does not allow local laws to conform to the more
stringent federal standards. Meanwhile, the parole board keeps pushing
dangerous criminals out the back door to make way for recruits coming in the
front door.

The only alternative I see after almost 40 years experience in federal law
enforcement is for the federal government to be petitioned to take over the
entire justice system from the state. Honest citizens need constitutional
protection as much as if not more than our criminal elements. Let's get moving.

Frank D. Slocum

Waianae