FUNDING NEEDED TO COMBAT ICE

Funding for treatment centers, specialized services for women and children and
increased ice (crystal methamphetamine) education were the top pleas of Big
Island residents speaking Thursday evening before state Legislators .

Members of the Senate - House Ice and Drug Abatement Task Force listened to
community officials and concerned residents for more than two hours during the
King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel meeting. The session followed a similar
gathering the previous evening in Hilo.

"I can remember growing up, there were the days we'd experiment with drinking
and smoking, and that kind of stuff," said Harry Kubojiri, deputy police chief.
"But that was experimenting. With crystal methamphetamine - you smoke it and
you're hooked. Our youth is being destroyed by this."

Not only do judges, police officers and social service officials see the
"horrors" of the drug on the job, those who spoke also told the task force how
it has affected their families and friends.

Jackie Kalani, who works in Child Protective Services, and Wally Lau, who leads
Neighborhood Place of Kona, spoke on behalf of their organizations as well as
the grassroots Community Response to Ice program.

Kalani, who is raising her three grandchildren due to a daughter's ice use, and
Lau, whose family includes two recovering ice addicts, stressed the need for
funds to staff anti - drug projects and more education for West Hawaii youth.

West Hawaii resident Jeff Citron said he now is raising his three grandchildren
due to his daughter's ice use commended CPS for its efforts on the "frontlines
on the war on ice."

He told legislators getting ice is as easy as buying milk in a grocery store
and that the common, and legal, ingredients to make the drug should be more
closely monitored when purchased in large quantities. A bounty for individuals
who lead to drug dealers' prosecution should also be established, he said.

Third Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra told of the positive side of Drug Court,
while asking Legislators to support the budget seeking a full - time judge to
oversee that program.

Kona physician Kevin Kunz, who specializes in addictions, said ice is like no
other drug he has ever seen. He said an adolescent treatment program is a
necessity for the Big Island, and support for youth also is a must.