EVERYONE CAN AND SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN FIGHTING DRUGS

>From recently attending Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona's "talk story" at Maui High School
and reading Michelle Carney's pledge to get involved in community activism
(Letters, Aug. 22), I find many Maui citizens are interested in taking action
against the ever-growing crystal methamphetamine problem.

The lieutenant governor has been highlighting a document titled "Hawaii Drug
Control Strategy: A New Beginning" ( www.hawaii.gov/ltgov/drugsummit ). A
statewide drug summit is also being held in mid-September on Oahu to help
communities design and implement plans to prevent, treat and provide
enforcement against drug abuse. This collection of meetings will provide
support in "forming and sustaining effective anti-drug coalitions."

Unfortunately only those invited will be able to attend the drug summit in
Honolulu and those attending from the Neighbor Islands have to pay their own
way.

If the upcoming drug summit is to focus on action instead of remaining stagnant
with talk, it requires a surge of community mobilization and a commitment to
implementation. The key will be communication with those in our communities and
the commitment to implement.

I am putting a challenge out to those from the County of Maui who will be
attending the upcoming drug summit to join with me in making a commitment to
educate and inform the rest of Maui and truly implement what is planned at the
summit. The force of many is much stronger than a few.

I am privileged to have been asked to attend the drug summit. I wish more
people from Maui could attend, and recognize the vast number of individuals who
are interested in preventing, treating, and supporting enforcement against
illicit drug use in Maui County.

Please do not feel that your voice will not be heard if you cannot attend the
drug summit.

The lieutenant governor's Web site provides a means for feedback, and I welcome
any ideas and suggestions that I can take with me to the summit.

Please e-mail me at KickIceMaui@yahoo.com with your ideas or if you would like
information from the summit on how to assist in the implementation of plans.

Barbara-Ann Keller

Wailuku