Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 Source: Maui News, The (HI) Contact: 2003 The Maui News Website: http://www.mauinews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259 Author: Jaymes Song, The Associated Press 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 . SUGGESTIONS FOR DRUG BATTLE MADE AT SUMMIT HONOLULU -- A state drug czar, additional funding for drug treatment and youth programs and improving coordination among state agencies and community groups were among the dozens of preliminary recommendations offered Tuesday by hundreds of attendees at the state's drug summit. ''It's all coming together at this point in time,'' said Lt. Gov. James ''Duke'' Aiona, who convened the three-day Hawaii Drug Control Strategy in Waikiki. Event organizers planned to cull the suggestions and strategies and have the attendees vote for their top choices today, the summit's final day. The recommendations, made during sessions closed to the news media, will help shape Hawaii's mounting attack on drugs and alcohol. Other recommendations included: * Amending the state constitution to give law enforcement more tools such as ''search and seizure'' and ''wire taps.'' * Using state and federal anti-drug funds more efficiently and appropriately. * Giving tax credits to companies that invest in human services. * Strengthening the family structure through community support. * Expanding availability of treatment facilities throughout the state. * Developing a comprehensive, coordinated statewide plan in battling drugs. * Creating a statewide office or body to oversee the war on drugs. * More oversight of state funds directed toward treatment services, prevention and law enforcement. Tuesday's session also stressed how important it is for communities to reclaim their neighborhoods from drug dealers and crime. ''It's less a matter of commitment as it is of heart. And the heart comes in when the community steps forward and says, 'We are the eyes and ears and we are watching,''' U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo Jr. said. ''Those of us in Hawaii know this to be true: when you turn on the lights, the cockroaches will run. If they know we're watching, they will not stay for long.'' Rev. Robert Nakata of the Kahaluu Methodist Church described the successes of the community action in Windward Oahu. He told the audience that law enforcement still requires more drug-fighting tools and that community needs more money for programs. ''It will be very difficult to mobilize if there's no hope to fund the programs,'' he said. Outside the session, Aiona said he took exception to an anonymous comment read to the audience Tuesday which called the summit ''window dressing'' and complained that all the drug strategies were already a done deal, with or without input from the attendees. ''It was a little surprising that some people felt this was a hoax,'' Aiona said. ''I thought we had communicated our message real well in regard to what this is about. ''We were waiting for their input. It was all about them,'' he said. ''That's a little disturbing because what that meant is that they came in with a closed mind or they weren't listening.'' But Aiona said he remained optimistic and upbeat for the final recommendations that would be selected and announced Wednesday. ''I'm excited. I just can't wait,'' Aiona said. ''They're going to come up with one, two or maybe three recommendations we can work on and get the ball rolling. Everything will evolve from that and I just see good things happening.'' On the Net: Drug Summit: http://www.hawaii.gov/ltgov/drugsummit - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk