BILL CONTAINS MONEY FOR BIG ISLAND 'ICE' PROGRAM

HONOLULU (AP) -- The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a
measure that would enable the fight against crystal methamphetamine to continue
on the Big Island.

The measures earmarks $4.4 million for the Hawaii County Comprehensive
Methamphetamine Response Program.

Without the funding, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said there would be no drug
treatment or youth rehabilitation programs on the Big Island.

Inouye said in a news release issued by his Washington office last week that
the money is needed to support a comprehensive effort to combat the drug called
''ice.''

The measure would also allow the program to expand to Kauai, and possibly to
Molokai and Lanai.

''These funds are necessary to support a comprehensive effort -- enforcement,
rehabilitation, education and prevention -- to combat ice in our state,''
Inouye said.

The funding is contained in the Fiscal Year 2004 Appropriations Bill for the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, the Judiciary and Related Agencies. With the
committee's approval, the legislation went to the full Senate.