DRUG SUMMIT HAS GOOD IDEAS

From preliminary reports, the Hawaii Drug Control Strategy Summit held this
week on Oahu ended with a definitely workable approach to solving the problems
associated with the "ice" plague.

Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona, who called the summit of law enforcement and
social services representatives, said the need most clearly defined by the
meeting was coordinating state services and better collaboration among law
enforcement, prevention and treatment.

Recommendations coming out of the summit included establishing a state
anti-drug office of some sort. It would be a major mistake to establish such an
office in the Department of Safety or any other police or quasi-police agency.
Such an office should be established in the Department of Health or, better
yet, as a separate office reporting straight to the governor.

Treating the use of crystal methamphetamine, also known as ice or batu, solely
as a criminal matter hasn't worked during the nearly two decades ice has been
around. Anyone making money from the importation, manufacture or sale of ice is
definitely a criminal and should be dealt with harshly. The victims of ice,
those addicted by others for profit, are just that, victims.

Another major recommendation coming out of the meeting was the need for
adequate funding for substance abuse treatment. Everyone who wants and needs
the treatment - intensive supervision and counseling that includes everyone
associated with the addict - should be able to receive it. That's going to be
expensive, but nowhere as expensive as the failure to deal with that need has
been to society so far.

There is one more element that needs to be addressed, particularly in rural
areas of the state. Gainfully employed individuals who are building a better
life for their children do not get into debilitating drugs such as ice. The
Emergency Work Force program showed just how effective it is to put men and
women to work fighting environmental threats - not only for the environment but
also for the individuals in the work force. Something similar should be
considered as an integral part of the fight against drug abuse.