KAUA'I'S DRUG PROBLEM

Mayor Bryan Baptiste yesterday began attacking Kaua'i top social problem -
drug abuse. The problem is filling our jail cells, ruining young and old
lives, apparent on our streets and in our homes. The problem is destroying
families, skyrocketing crime rates and seeping into our schoolyards.

The mayor brought together law enforcement officials, those who run drug
prevention programs, counselors who deal with drug addicts trying to turn
their lives around.

He is on the right track. However, holding a conference is one thing,
actually seeing action and results is another. We call upon all who attended
the meeting to take action and soon. It's not time for feel-good talks and
broadbrush, pie-in-the-sky plans.

Action should also be taken to bring in the federal "Weed and Seed" program
that has been successful in Honolulu's Chinatown and other areas of O'ahu.

As Mayor Baptiste said every day we delay means another child is possibly
brought into the realm of drug use.