Pubdate: Tue, 26 Aug 2003 Source: West Hawaii Today (HI) Contact: 2003 West Hawaii Today Website: http://westhawaiitoday.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/644 Author: Karen Iwamoto, West Hawaii Today Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Note: To read about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii . ICE WARS: INOUYE OPTIMISTIC Senator: 'This Will Be The First Community To Wipe Out Ice' Government officials promised to increase federal law enforcement on the Big Island and completely wipe out ice (crystal methamphetamine) from neighborhoods. "This is not going to fizzle out. This will be the first community to wipe out ice," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye told approximately 300 participants gathered Monday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the second Hawaii Island Meth Summit. The community has yet to see the $4 million he promised at last year's Meth Summit, but Billy Kenoi, the mayor's executive assistant, said the money will be appropriated by the Department of Justice and has been earmarked for the following: $1 million for law enforcement needs; $1 million for treatment and rehabilitation programs (including an additional $900,000 from private organizations and $30,000 from the state); $2 million for prevention and education programs, with $500,000 earmarked for a community anti - drug fund and an additional $100,000 from the state. Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said the summit offered community members an opportunity to talk candidly with their elected officials. "Because of the value of not making waves that many of us have, we have a lot of things in the community not as we want it to be," Kim said. "We suffer in silence. Now is the time for us to open up." Since last year's summit, police have initiated 353 ice cases and arrested 200 people for possessing ice - including a 15 - year - old boy found with 12.6 grams of the drug in his backpack, said Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna. In the last year, Mahuna said, police have recovered 12.6 pounds of ice valued at $1.46 million. Mahuna likened ice to social terrorism and said the drug tears apart the fabric of society. "I know from firsthand experience, living next to an ice house myself," he said. "The whole demeanor of the neighborhood changes." U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo said he would work to further increase law enforcement powers in the state - specifically changing the state's wire - tap law, which he described as a complicated process and hinders prosecution the way it stands. He also said he is committed to reinstating the state's so - called "walk and talk" law, which allowed police to approach and question random passengers provided the passengers gave officers consent. That law was ruled unconstitutional in 1992, he said. Eighty percent of the ice found on the Big Island is brought through airports and the increased airport security since Sept. 11 does not specifically target drugs, he said. "The Transportation Security Administration does not look for drugs. All they are concerned with is airplane passenger safety," Kubo said. "They are looking for explosives, not drugs." Since last year's summit, he said, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has opened a Big Island office and the Drug Enforcement Agency has stationed one agent permanently on the island, with plans to station more agents if funding is available. Increasing and improving treatment, education and prevention programs were emphasized at last year's summit, but a "mauka to makai" treatment center remains in the planning phase and those needing long - term intensive treatment still must be sent off island. But Inouye said he has already noticed positive changes in the community. He noted an increase in community involvement since last year's summit, including town meetings and local sign wavings and said he was committed to improving public transportation on the island as a means to getting youth off the streets and into after school programs. Kevin Kunz, a Kona medical doctor with experience treating drug addicts, said residents play a crucial role in helping ice addicts. Traditional treatment programs can fail, he said, but a caring and involved community cannot. Kenoi told participants change will not be instantaneous but promised it would come over time. "This is not just about ice," Kim said. "This is about us, who call this place home, taking back our community." Contacts: Big Island Meth Summit www.healingourisland.com - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk