Pubdate: Mon, 29 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: Lisa Texeira Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1469/a05.html 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 . JUDGING OTHERS NOT THE ISSUE IN ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN The people of Kahekili Terrace are doing a great thing (The Maui News, Sept. 25). I support their efforts and wish them the best of luck on all their endeavors. The morning following the rally brought to light how much of an impact they are making. Someone had placed the Thursday newspaper on my relatives' door with a little message full of insults, threats and a comment about judging others. Almost everyone has judged someone else at one time or another in their lifetime. It's not an issue of who's better, who's bad, who's judging whom. The issue is drugs in our communities, especially ones with lots of children. What type of future do you think we'll have if more than half of our youth are addicted to drugs? If you want to take drugs, you are going to no matter what anyone says or does and it is your choice. Just don't do it around me, my family, my neighborhood and my community because it's our choice not to and to not tolerate all that comes with it. My uncle was murdered in relation to drugs. I've had friends, who I didn't realize were mixed up with drugs, go to jail. I've experienced the heartache, the grief and I have been humbled. I don't make comments like I have in the past; now I can relate to what families are going through and it hurts. Boy, does it hurt. Lisa Texeira Kahului - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk