SUGGESTIONS FOR DRUG BATTLE MADE AT SUMMIT

HONOLULU -- A state drug czar, additional funding for drug treatment and youth
programs and improving coordination among state agencies and community groups
were among the dozens of preliminary recommendations offered Tuesday by
hundreds of attendees at the state's drug summit.

''It's all coming together at this point in time,'' said Lt. Gov. James
''Duke'' Aiona, who convened the three-day Hawaii Drug Control Strategy in
Waikiki.

Event organizers planned to cull the suggestions and strategies and have the
attendees vote for their top choices today, the summit's final day. The
recommendations, made during sessions closed to the news media, will help shape
Hawaii's mounting attack on drugs and alcohol.

Other recommendations included:

* Amending the state constitution to give law enforcement more tools such as
''search and seizure'' and ''wire taps.''

* Using state and federal anti-drug funds more efficiently and appropriately.

* Giving tax credits to companies that invest in human services.

* Strengthening the family structure through community support.

* Expanding availability of treatment facilities throughout the state.

* Developing a comprehensive, coordinated statewide plan in battling drugs.

* Creating a statewide office or body to oversee the war on drugs.

* More oversight of state funds directed toward treatment services, prevention
and law enforcement.

Tuesday's session also stressed how important it is for communities to reclaim
their neighborhoods from drug dealers and crime.

''It's less a matter of commitment as it is of heart. And the heart comes in
when the community steps forward and says, 'We are the eyes and ears and we are
watching,''' U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said. ''Those of us in Hawaii know
this to be true: when you turn on the lights, the cockroaches will run. If they
know we're watching, they will not stay for long.''

Rev. Robert Nakata of the Kahaluu Methodist Church described the successes of
the community action in Windward Oahu. He told the audience that law
enforcement still requires more drug-fighting tools and that community needs
more money for programs.

''It will be very difficult to mobilize if there's no hope to fund the
programs,'' he said.

Outside the session, Aiona said he took exception to an anonymous comment read
to the audience Tuesday which called the summit ''window dressing'' and
complained that all the drug strategies were already a done deal, with or
without input from the attendees.

''It was a little surprising that some people felt this was a hoax,'' Aiona
said. ''I thought we had communicated our message real well in regard to what
this is about.

''We were waiting for their input. It was all about them,'' he said. ''That's a
little disturbing because what that meant is that they came in with a closed
mind or they weren't listening.''

But Aiona said he remained optimistic and upbeat for the final recommendations
that would be selected and announced Wednesday.

''I'm excited. I just can't wait,'' Aiona said. ''They're going to come up with
one, two or maybe three recommendations we can work on and get the ball
rolling. Everything will evolve from that and I just see good things
happening.''

On the Net: Drug Summit: http://www.hawaii.gov/ltgov/drugsummit