STUDENTS JOIN ISLE'S 'ICE' WAR

Drugs are easy to get within their small community. It's simple even for
those just entering their teen years to know who to ask for marijuana or
harder drugs, Waimea Middle School students said.

However, the students are pledging not to experiment with drugs, and are
helping to find solutions to one of the most island's biggest drug problems.

They want to ensure the crystal methamphetamine or "ice" epidemic does not
hit them, their peers or younger generations.

Some 16 members of Casey Boyett's U.S. history class recently participated
in the Judiciary History Center of Honolulu's "Project Citizen." The
organization asked the eighth - grade class to select a community problem,
then research it and develop a portfolio outlining possible solutions.

"We were going to choose traffic, but then decided on 'ice' because it's a
really big problem in the community," Cheryl Fujioka said.

The students said they did not realize how significant it had become - or
how dangerous the drug is - until they began their semester - long research.
They now realize even though it may not directly affect their lives, it
still has an impact on the community, said Dylan Lynn.

"'Ice' basically affects everybody in the community," Nick D'Amico said.
"It's like a wild fire - one match can start a really, really big brush
fire. It's the same with 'ice.'"

Students said, thankfully, their friends have not experimented with 'ice.'
However, they said, they know some may try the drug next year when they are
in high school.

"That's why we want to warn people in our middle school now," Tysha Caitano
said. "This way we are telling them about it before they get to high school
where 'ice' is more popular."

"We want to inform our friends and peers," D'Amico added. "If they are
getting facts from someone older or a teacher, they probably are not going
to pay attention. But if it is coming from someone your own age, someone you
know and trust, they might listen."

Boyett said students were divided into four groups to examine all aspects of
"ice," including state, national and federal laws. They spent time
interviewing recovering addicts, police and those dealing with the treatment
side to learn more about its affects on the users, their families and out
into communities.

Boyett said they also reviewed potential solutions to the problem by
investigating what's working in small communities on the mainland and what's
happening on other islands.

Students encountered what many already have found - it's difficult to find a
solution.

They also realized programs working in other states may not be beneficial
here, and others they simply wouldn't want to put into place.

Emelina Kurayama said they pinpointed one town that instituted random drug
tests in schools, but found each test cost $68 and was charged to the
student.

"We thought that was a really bad idea, not only because it was against the
students' rights," Fujioka said. "If they are caught using drugs, they are
going to be suspended and that doesn't help them, it only gives them more
time to use drugs."

Students said they found the best solution is early treatment, diverting
taxpayer's dollars to fund a rehabilitation center on the island. If a
person is arrested in an "ice" - related theft, their jail time could be
spend in the treatment center, the group said. They admit it is unfair a
criminal act isn't more harshly punished, but said research shows many
addicts who serve jail time commit the same types of crime again.