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.
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