WE NEED FAST ACTION TO FIGHT CRYSTAL METH

THE ISSUE - A state survey indicates that more isle residents were treated last
year for 'ice' abuse than for alcohol and marijuana abuse combined.

NEW figures compiled by the state confirm that crystal methamphetamine is the
most addictive drug in Hawaii, and the problem is growing at a frightening
pace. A legislative task force and the Lingle administration are embarked on
efforts to deal with the nascent crisis and should work together in combating
it through treatment and prevention.

Six years ago, 22 percent of drug-treatment admissions in Hawaii were for
methamphetamine, far greater even then than in any other state. Figures
compiled by the state Department of Health's alcohol and drug abuse division
from a survey of state-funded, community-based treatment facilities indicate
that the number of adults treated for "ice" addiction has nearly doubled since
1998. More adults were treated last year for ice addiction than for alcohol and
marijuana abuse combined.

The ice problem seems to afflict adults more than adolescents. A state survey
of school-based and court-ordered programs showed that 949 adolescents were
treated last year for marijuana abuse, compared to 378 for alcohol and 158 for
crystal meth.

In an opinion column on this page yesterday, Richard O. Rowland of the
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii questioned whether the solution is to "cure" drug
abusers. He maintained that the real antidote is to teach values and morals at
home. Any "epidemic," he suggested, is merely a reflection of the community's
morals.

Providing moral guidance to families may be effective in the long run, although
difficult. However, immediate action is needed to make treatment available to
residents who have succumbed to the addiction and to prevent the most
vulnerable from embracing the dangerous drug -- and with it the commission of
property crimes to support their habit.

"It's a moving target to define an epidemic," William Wood, a University of
Hawaii sociology professor, told the Star-Bulletin's Sally Apgar, "but a
characteristic of an epidemic is that it is a problem so pervasive it is
affecting a large population. We have an ice epidemic, and the trends show it
is getting worse with no signs of letting up."

We were critical of government officials earlier this month for using inflated
figures in assessing ice abuse in the state. Actual figures don't need to be
overstated to describe the seriousness of the problem. State officials now must
turn to ways of fighting it.