FINANCIAL HELP TIMELY IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

Through public awareness and aggressive campaigns to curb their use, health
officials in Hawai'i report a downward trend in children turning to
alcohol, cigarettes and illegal drugs. Community and government
organizations leading the anti-drug fight are far from declaring victory,
however, and the battle against substance abuse got an important financial
boost recently in the amount of $1.7 million - the amount of the first
round of awards from an $8.4 million grant to Hawai'i from the federal
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The money will be administered over the next three years by the state,
which late last month announced the first share would be divided among 13
community groups. On Kaua'i, the recipients are the West Kaua'i Community
Business and Professional Association (for its Smart Moves and Smart
Leaders program serving the Waimea area) and Kaua'i Economic Opportunity
(life skills training for the island's central community).

Groups were selected for the funds based on their strategies for keeping
drugs, alcohol and tobacco away from minors and for improving children's
health and well-being.

The money is especially helpful as donations to non-profit programs and
government budgets are being stretched ever thinner. The campaign against
substance abuse can't be a financial casualty.