Pubdate: Sat, 05 Apr 2003 Source: Garden Island (HI) Copyright: 2003 Kauai Publishing Co. Contact: http://www.kauaiworld.com/kauai/letterstoeditor.nsf/webletter?openform Website: http://kauaiworld.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/HIDTA Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Note: To read more about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii . LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT FOR DRUG WAR Word from the State Capitol Friday has Kaua'i close to receiving significant state funding to help battle the "ice" epidemic the Island is facing. State Sen. Gary Hooser has been working with the Senate Ways and Means Committee to have Kaua'i receive funding similar to that headed to the Big Island for help that Island's law enforcement officials help fight against a significant drug abuse and related crime problem. The funding would be a boost to an existing partnership between the Kaua'i Police Department, a federal High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area representative and the state Attorney General's office. Kaua'i now has one HIDTA officer who carries federal authority to in some cases investigate and enforce drug crimes. Funds from the bill would go towards helping the local police department enforce drug laws, and also for funding for helping to prevent drug abuse, as well as helping those addicted to drugs. The funds could come from assets seized during drug arrests, from federal funds paid to the state as part of the billion dollar-plus tobacco settlement, and from the sale of tobacco. These funds, if used in the right areas and tied into the findings of Mayor Bryan Baptiste's anti-drug coalition, could go a long way in combating the drug problems found on Kaua'i from the use and sale of ice, plus the crimes related to such drug abuse, including thefts, burglaries and family abuse. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk