DRUG TREATMENT

Funding is needed to establish at least one, maybe two, residential
drug-treatment centers on-island. Mayor Bryan Baptiste hopes to have one
built for youngsters, and another for adults fresh out of prison. Roy
Nishida, who is now officially the county's drug coordinator, will likely be
at the center of establishing such a center. The mayor is to meet soon with
Sen. Daniel Inouye with hopes of receiving federal funds for a center
similar to the $4 million center earmarked for the Big Island.

These centers need to be built soon, and drug addiction recovery treatment
needs to become a centerpiece of the county's action plan to combat drugs.

Hopefully the mayor's action will pay off here.