Pubdate: Tue, 30 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: Valerie Monson, Staff Writer 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 . CHIEF: NO QUICK FIXES IN DRUG FIGHT WAILUKU - A Maui County Council committee continued to put the heat on the ice epidemic Monday with an overview of local programs available to help users conquer their addictions followed by a discussion of what more needs to be done. But Maui Police Chief Tom Phillips reminded lawmakers that ice is only part of the drug iceberg and that only a long, concerted effort - not a quick fix - will solve anything. "Everyone is looking for the fast solution," said Phil-lips, pointing to the recent blitz of media reports and attention from politicians. "Can we solve this by tomorrow? A year from now? Ten years from now? By the time I'm up for re-election? Š "It's a social issue, not just treatment and prevention. We have to change the way we live." If not, more and more of Maui's taxpayer money will go to cleaning up the messes created by drugs, meaning that other programs might not get the funds requested. Alice Lee, director of the Department of Housing and Human Concerns, already gave the impression she'd be asking for more money in the local war on drugs when next year's budget hearings begin. Lee said her office needed "at least another $400,000." The meeting of the Housing and Human Resources Committee called by Chairman Joe Pontanilla was among several events that will keep the ice issue in the public eye. Tonight, from 6 to 8, an anti-drug rally will be held at the Lihikai School cafeteria and on Oct. 9 at 10 a.m., Maui officials will lead a local follow-up to the statewide drug summit held earlier this month. That event will take place at the Maui Economic Opportunity complex. Christina Fisher, the county's substance abuse coordinator, said it's these public gatherings, not just money for programs, that will put Maui on the road to recovery. "We need to go to a deeper level and that's what's happening now in our communities," she said, pointing to the examples of residents waving signs to give drug dealers the message that they're not welcome in their neighborhoods. She said the barrage of newspaper stories, television specials and roundtable discussions has provided Hawaii with "a tremendous opportunity" to move forward. Phillips said ice was "the current drug of choice," but added that the overall mission must be directed at the prevention of all illegal drugs as well as alcohol abuse - not just ice. He said that drugs have been behind the vast majority of crimes since the 1970s with a new drug rising to the top every so often. In the 1980s, it was crack cocaine. Three years ago, it was black tar heroin. Next year, it could be PCP, which has made a comeback on the Mainland. Because of the addictive nature of ice and the horrible violence that often accompanies its use, the drug has overshadowed all others. "But we have just as many alcohol-related crimes," he said. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Tam said what many victims of crime on Maui already know from experience: that more than 75 percent of all criminal cases are drug-related. Phillips said he'd like to see a school curriculum developed to change the way children think at a young age. Fisher and Lee said they were already developing programs aimed at improving a child's self-image and feeling good about themselves without the need for substances. Prosecuting Attorney Davelynn Tengan said she'd like Hawaii to come up with a slogan that everyone remembers - - she cited the "Don't Shake a Keiki" campaign from a few years ago - which would urge against drug use. Fisher also said, as part of prevention, she was showing kids some of the ingredients used in making ice that would be inhaled into the user's body: drain cleaner, camping fuel, acetone, Red Devil lye, iodine and other poisons. "We want them to get the picture of the scary ingredients," she said. The officials who deal with the results of ice firsthand appreciated the opportunity to speak to the committee, but they realized they need more than lawmakers to take the issue seriously. "It takes more than county agencies; it takes communities," said Phillips. "If kids are living in despair, if they grow up in despair, it takes someone to go in there and to do things for them" to build their characters and give them confidence. Fisher said it's time for the public to end the "conspiracy of silence," a byproduct of the humble nature of many Hawaii residents that causes them not to speak up. She said if people know they're living next to a drug house, they need to report license numbers of vehicles coming and going. They need to get involved. Councilman Danny Mateo agreed. "Each one of us must take ownership," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk