DRUGS IN SCHOOLS

The Garden Island's reporter Kendyce Manguchei contributed an eye-opener
article to today's issue on the subject of drugs in our communities and
schools.

Kaua'i Police Department officers who work in schools in the Kawaihau
District told of dozens of substance abuse arrests inside schools.

The KPD officers provided a graphic exhibit on what drugs look like, and
what they are doing to our communities.

One vice officer claimed that just about every arrest she is involved in is
linked to drug abuse.

Councilman Mel Rapozo called Mayor Bryan Baptiste a brave man for taking on
drug dealers and the drug abuse sub-culture that is poisoning Kaua'i.

Another officer noted a perceived problem with public school students who
attend middle schools. He saw a large number of his arrests inside Kapa'a
High School involving ninth graders fresh from middle school.

While it is assumed there are no drug abuse problems in elementary schools,
it looks like the middle school years are dangerous ones, years when
innocent children are exposed to alcohol and illicit drugs.

The schools are a reflection of the community at large, and unfortunately,
drug and alcohol abuse in schools means that a good number of parents are
the source of the school problem.

And the schools offer a controlled group for study, unlike the community at
large where drug abuse is usually spotted through child or spouse abuse, or
when an addict is arrested for a crime.

Again, the solution to this problem is many faceted. It is going to take our
law enforcement officials, our government and community leaders, and our
local residents to all work together to rid this plague from our community.