More Treatment Beds Should Go To Women, A Visiting Expert Says Drug courts "are a mixed bag," says a nationally noted researcher and advocate of drug policy reform. "It's always good to offer alternatives to incarceration, which is the worst thing you can do for a drug problem," says Corinne Carey, deputy director of Break the Chains: Communities of Color and the War on Drugs. But two things are wrong with drug courts, she said in an interview. They are less likely to be effective if a person does not want treatment or is forced into a program that does not work for them, she said. [continues 477 words]
Most Candidates Agree Robust Federal Support Is Crucial To The Fight As Hawaii continues the fight against illegal drugs, particularly crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," candidates seeking to represent the 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House say their job, if elected, would be to make sure the state receives its fair share of federal dollars and other resources to combat the problem. "Ice is tearing families and businesses apart, and it's the most urgent public health problem that Hawaii faces," said state Rep. Brian Schatz (D, Tantalus-Makiki). "We need federal dollars for prevention, treatment and law enforcement. [continues 890 words]
Male Youth Offenders Tend Toward Felonies, New Studies Find FEMALE juvenile offenders in Hawaii are more likely to be crystal methamphetamine users, depressed and suicidal compared to their male counterparts, according to two new state studies released yesterday. Girls that have become part of the state's juvenile justice system also are more likely to run away, while boys are more likely to be arrested for serious felonies and wind up in custody, the studies indicate. The statistics paint a picture of a youthful offender population in Hawaii that oftentimes requires help as opposed to strict incarceration, said Lisa Pasko, a research analyst with the Attorney General's Office. [continues 389 words]
The facility is awaiting state funding and will offer substance abuse treatment to isle women A pilot health clinic is planned in Kaimuki to provide prenatal care, substance abuse treatment and other services to pregnant Hawaii women who use crystal methamphetamine. An estimated 5 percent to 6 percent of all pregnancies here -- about 1,200 a year -- involve women who use "ice," said Dr. Tricia Wright, a UH assistant professor of obstetrics-gynecology and pilot clinic director. Only about 100 treatment slots are available on Oahu for pregnant women who abuse drugs, Wright said. [continues 568 words]
Tommy Chong and the 'Marijuana-Logues' comes to Blaisdell Concert Hall What's the curse? May you live in interesting times? Three years ago, as Americans were still reeling from the combination of al-Qaida and anthrax attacks, as American soldiers prepared to cross the border into Iraq, government prosecutors and law-enforcement personnel executed a daring raid. By the close of business on Feb. 24, 2003, more than 50 individuals had been taken into custody, their weapons of destruction seized, their fiendish business operations shuttered. America could breath a sigh of relief. "Operation Pipe Dreams" had struck a blow against the sales of drug paraphernalia, such as bongs and pipes. [continues 886 words]
HILO -- Two Big Island police teams formed three years ago to crack down on crystal methamphetamine are starting to see more of a different drug: cocaine. The island's Hilo and Kona Ice Task Force teams confiscated more cocaine last year than crystal methamphetamine, or "ice." Miles Chong of the police department in Hilo said stricter enforcement to control the ice problem on the island might have caused people to switch to cocaine. "Both are stimulants," Chong said. "If they can't have one, they will choose the other." [continues 282 words]
Your April 24 editorial aptly describes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's statement on medical marijuana as "patently political," as the Bush administration continues its misplaced campaign of fear and intimidation against chronically ill patients and their physicians. Fortunately, federal prosecution of individuals using marijuana as medicine is almost nonexistent; most marijuana cases are handled by state and local authorities, and Hawaii's pioneering medical marijuana law protects sick patients from prosecution at those levels. But for the 3,300 seriously ill patients in Hawaii relying on doctor-recommended marijuana to alleviate chronic pain and suffering, the FDA statement can only be seen as the latest heavy-handed threat to access to a treatment scientists repeatedly have found safe and effective. [continues 62 words]
I was as against medical marijuana as any dyed-in-the-wool narcotics enforcement officer could be, since I was one before I retired (Editorial, Star-Bulletin, April 24). I was sure it was a scam by people who were using it as a smokescreen. I changed my mind when I traveled to Zillah, Wash., to say my goodbye to a fellow Vietnam combat vet buddy who was suffering from throat cancer. The only way he could get hungry, pain-free and happy was to smoke marijuana. He didn't last very long, perhaps a couple of months after treatment started. To be ignorant of the medical uses of marijuana is to be ignorant of reality. George Gersaba Honolulu [end]
THE ISSUE The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a statement that the use of marijuana for medical purposes is not backed by science. AS the regulatory agency assigned to protect Americans against health risks, the Food and Drug Administration relies on scientific proof to maintain its credibility. That credibility took a dive last week when the FDA -- citing no studies whatsoever -- announced that "no sound scientific studies" support the medical use of marijuana. In doing so, it gave a slap to the National Academy of Sciences, whose Institute of Medicine found in 1999 that marijuana is "moderately well suited for particular conditions, such as chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and AIDS wasting." The academy is the nation's most prestigious scientific advisory agency, and its studies cannot be so easily dismissed. [continues 228 words]
THE ISSUE Surveys indicate that state campaigns against smoking and substance abuse are having positive results. NATIONAL and state surveys show that Hawaii's efforts to discourage substance abuse have been effective. Cigarette smoking among young people has dropped dramatically, while Hawaii is making greater progress than other states in combating substance abuse. State campaigns against abuse of tobacco and the use of illicit drugs should continue. The state Health Department reports that cigarette smoking among middle and high school students dropped by half from 1993 to last year. Middle schoolers who consider themselves smokers fell from 12.9 percent to only 5 percent, while high school smokers dropped from 24.5 percent to 12.6 percent. [continues 234 words]
I'm writing about your thoughtful editorial "Meth ingredient needs national limits" (Dec. 19). I submit that the vast majority of drug users would use only marijuana if it were available at an affordable price. But it is not available at an affordable price. During the early 1970s marijuana sold for $10 to $20 an ounce. Now it sells for about $300 an ounce. Today's price of marijuana is the result of the "prohibition tax," which goes to organized criminals -- the government gets nothing. [continues 111 words]
PAHOA, Hawaii ; South of Hilo, in the center of business legal and illegal in lower Puna, Santa isn't the only one watching to see who's been naughty and who's been nice. A series of federally funded security cameras just went up in the heart of Pahoa, protecting legitimate businesses and driving drug dealers, boozers and brawlers out of the area. Immediate credit goes to the Pahoa Weed and Seed program, a federal designation for efforts to weed out bad elements and seed in business and social development. Similar programs are under way in Chinatown and Ewa on Oahu. [continues 740 words]
Please consider an acupuncture-based drug and alcohol detoxification and treatment program for Honolulu. I went to the one in Portland, Ore., and it helped to cure me. I hope those in charge of solving the ice pandemic consider acupuncture to treat addiction. Acupuncture is court-ordered therapy in Miami, New York, Portland, San Francisco and Santa Barbara. The use of regular acupuncture treatments become more responsive to treatment. Treatment is accomplished by inserting 3-5 acupuncture needles just under the skin or surface of the external ear. Portland has a very good program that I think Hawaii and Honolulu should consider. I hope that representatives from Honolulu and the state go visit the acupuncture place in Portland to get information on starting a pilot program here in Honolulu. Carolyn Crandall Honolulu [end]
The Issue Congress is considering legislation to restrict the sale of cold medicines with an ingredient used to produce methamphetamine. RESTRICTION on the sale of cold medicines that can be used to produce methamphetamine is receiving bipartisan support in Congress, but its attachment to the controversial USA Patriot Act may at least delay its enactment. The bill would toughen restrictions in Hawaii but would be no cure-all to the crystal meth epidemic. This year's Legislature enacted requirements that limit consumers to buying no more than three packages or nine grams -- about 300 pills -- in a single transaction. The congressional proposal would limit purchases to one package a day or three packages a month. [continues 215 words]
TV Official Guilty Of Lesser Drug Charge LIHUE -- A cancer patient with a medical marijuana license from California said he was relieved that he avoided jail time after being sentenced last week for promotion of marijuana. [Name redacted] of Kilauea was instead fined $2,000, despite using the marijuana for medical purposes. [Name redacted] has asbestos cancer in his stomach and esophagus, according to his lawyer. [Name redacted] was arrested last year with 1.2 pounds of marijuana that was shipped to him from the mainland. That is well above the legal amount for someone with a medical marijuana license to legally possess. [continues 378 words]
Hina Mauka's Families In Crisis Program Helps People Face Tough Issues Statewide Treatment Program Began With 1 Man THEY WERE strangers, gathered together in fear and frustration because they didn't know what to do about family members addicted to drugs. Meeting in Aina Haina, the group included seven parents, a husband, two sisters with their mothers and a family friend. Alcohol was involved in three cases; crystal methamphetamine or "ice" dominated the others. Five or six people regularly attend Hina Mauka's weekly Families in Crisis classes at the Church of the Holy Nativity but on this night only two had been there before, said facilitator Jill Pargoe. [continues 1473 words]
The State Supreme Court Rules an Unborn Child Is Not a "Person" Ruling Stirs Debate but Won't Change Laws on Unborn THE Hawaii Supreme Court has overturned the manslaughter conviction of an ice-addicted mother for causing the death of her newborn son by smoking crystal methamphetamine in the days leading to his birth. In an unusually quick turnover, the justices issued a majority decision yesterday agreeing with mother Tayshea Aiwohi that her unborn child was not a "person" as defined under state law, and that her conduct did not meet the requisite elements of manslaughter. [continues 904 words]
'Ice' Addict Cleared of Killing Newborn YESTERDAY'S Hawaii Supreme Court decision to overturn a former ice addict's manslaughter conviction in the death of her 2-day-old baby had plenty of supporters and detractors. But both sides appeared to agree that the state court's decision is unlikely to bring changes regarding the unborn. The Supreme Court ruled that Tayshea Aiwohi's son was an unborn fetus at the time she abused crystal methamphetamine, and therefore not a person, so her actions did not constitute manslaughter. [continues 447 words]
The Waimanalo spot is the site of drug activity and is a poor choice, according to residents Residents of Mekia Street in Waimanalo are trying to stop the operators of a safe and sober house for women from moving into what they say is a known drug house in their neighborhood. Residents believe drug activity will continue despite the good intentions of the home's operators. The Tayshea Aiwohi Foundation has already moved in a woman who will be the house manager, and hopes to take in two clients next month, said Jessica Hauki, foundation board member and treasurer. [continues 547 words]
164 DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE MARIJUANA Question: I was wondering if you can point me in the direction of two things. One, how can I contribute to the legalization of medicinal marijuana everywhere? Second, where can I find a doctor on Oahu who is participating in writing prescriptions to patients (who, of course, meet the requirements under the law) for marijuana use? Answer: In answer to your first question, NORML -- National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -- would be a good place for you to start. [continues 332 words]
