MORE JOB TRAINING WOULD LOWER CRIME RATE

In the article "Isles top nation for thefts" (Star-Bulletin, June 11), Capt.
Carlton Nishimura of the Honolulu Police Department's Criminal Investigation
Division said, "Unemployed people who have a drug problem need to
substantiate their living through theft" and increasing treatment
opportunities for drug offenders is a step in the right direction.

This is not a strong enough solution. If there are unemployed people, then
there have to be more opportunities for training and employment for Hawaii
residents. More vocational colleges should be established where people could
be taught skills and earn a living instead of living off welfare, charity or
stealing other people's property.

Also, instead of just treating drug addicts, the drug trafficking should be
nipped in the bud; find the source, plug it and deal out harsh punishments
for drug dealing. This surely would result in a much safer and happier
Hawaii.

Raj Bose