The Kaua'i Police Department has received several new assets to help run drug investigation operations and education programs, the County Council learned at its regular meeting Thursday. The Kaua'i Government Employees Credit Union donated a 1992 GMC worth about $40,000, to be used as a mobile command center that can respond to major incidents and crime scenes. Also, $25,000 in supplemental grant funds were appropriated by the state Department of Transportation will be used in support of the state's seat belt and child restraint laws in the national "Click it or Ticket" campaign. About $16,250 will be used for overtime pay to officers and a clerk to compile statistics; and $8,750 is for Child Passenger Safety Technician training for five officers. [continues 575 words]
Residents from Lihu'e, Puhi and Hanama'ulu turned out for the county's second drug summit meeting Tuesday night At the meeting, Mayor Bryan Baptiste listed the county's top priorities in fighting the drug war. "We have decided as a county to take a leading role in the effort in the war against drugs," Baptiste said. "The role is not one of monetary support or resources, but to bring a lot of different resources together." Roy Nishida, the county's drug program "czar" said he wants the community and government to work together in implementing a drug-war plan that is being drawn up. [continues 686 words]
Living on the same street as an "ice" drug house is becoming too common of an occurrence in Hawai'i. That's the word legislators got from communities across Hawai'i during the recently convened session of the Legislature. Such houses are centers for dealing, using and in some cases manufacturing the drug crystal methamphetamine. The street name for the illegal drug is "ice." In signing House Bill 297 Monday Gov. Linda Lingle added a new weapon in the statewide battle against the destructive drug. [continues 299 words]
U.S. Congressman Ed Case, Mayor Bryan Baptiste and state and county legislators yesterday reaffirmed their commitment to defeat the use of crystal methamphetamine on Kaua'i, as well as the abuse of other drugs. Their pledges of support came at a public meeting where residents recommended ways to beat drug use, including establishing more anti-drug programs and drug treatment facilities, increasing police manpower and creating an anti-drug task force and citizen patrols . The recommendations were made during a "regional drug summit" the Baptiste administration held at Princeville's Prince Course Clubhouse. [continues 1225 words]
Mayor Bryan Baptiste's round of community "summits" on the problem of drug abuse and drug dealing on Kaua'i are set to be held across the Island. The meetings will hopefully bring out the truth about drug abuse and social problems that drug abuse is causing in communities across Kaua'i. The headliner of the four-meeting series may prove to be the one set for the Kawaihau District, scheduled for the Kapa'a Elementary School cafeteria on Thursday, May 29. [continues 260 words]
An islandwide series of five drug problem "summits" is being scheduled by Mayor Bryan Baptiste. The mayor is hoping that the meetings will help in creating a plan to solve Kaua'i drug abuse problems. Baptiste said the meetings are being held to "educate residents and discuss current efforts to address the drug problem on Kaua'i." The series begins Saturday morning at the Hyatt Regency Kaua'i Resort with a talk by Mike Young of Wave Riders Against Drugs at 8:30 a.m. [continues 229 words]
Drugs are the reason most Kaua'i single parents, men and women, are single parents, said a Koloa woman raising a young son alone. "It is a difficult situation all around for a single parent when the other parent is involved with drugs," the mother said. "It adds another dimension of difficulties trying to raise the child or children. "It is difficult enough economically for the single parent raising the child or children, but when the other parent is involved with drugs, it is a catch-22 situation for the single parents who are the primary caretakers," said the woman, who didn't want her name used in this story. [continues 349 words]
Use of crystal methamphetamine, or "ice," is a federal crime, yet Kaua'i has no "on-the-ground" presence of either FBI or Drug Enforcement Administration officers, said U.S. Rep. Ed Case. "I don't think that that's good," said Case, advocating for a physical DEA presence on every island. But government money, programs and officers aren't the only answers to the drug problem rampant across his second Congressional district (rural O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands), said the freshman Democrat. [continues 497 words]
Funding is needed to establish at least one, maybe two, residential drug-treatment centers on-island. Mayor Bryan Baptiste hopes to have one built for youngsters, and another for adults fresh out of prison. Roy Nishida, who is now officially the county's drug coordinator, will likely be at the center of establishing such a center. The mayor is to meet soon with Sen. Daniel Inouye with hopes of receiving federal funds for a center similar to the $4 million center earmarked for the Big Island. These centers need to be built soon, and drug addiction recovery treatment needs to become a centerpiece of the county's action plan to combat drugs. Hopefully the mayor's action will pay off here. [end]
WAIPOULI -- County officials will seek federal, state and private funding to establish as many as two residential drug-treatment facilities on the island, said Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste. His vision is to have one facility for youngsters, and another for adults fresh out of prison. Establishment of such facilities may be one of the first tasks of Roy Nishida, who yesterday spent his first day on the job as the county's drug coordinator, Baptiste said. Baptiste will meet next week with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawai'i, and hopes Inouye will champion federal legislation similar to a law that helped Big Island officials get $4 million in federal funds to battle that island's crystal methamphetamine (ice) problem. [continues 355 words]
The communities of Kaua'i are calling out for help on fighting the growing, and dangerous, threat of drug dealing and illicit drug use by both local residents and newcomers to the Island. The current issue of Kilauea Light, a newsletter produced by the Kilauea Community Outreach Program, focuses on the drug problem in the Kilauea area, and what is being done about it. Looking back to newsletters produced by the Kilauea Plantation community back in the 1960s and comparing the news of the day then to the news of today, is like comparing light to darkness, even from those issues printed at the height of the 1960s drug revolution. The Kilauea community, and many others on Kaua'i, are up against a big drug problem and need support from many areas. [end]
If the corruption allegations made against the Kauai Police Department prove true, it wouldn't be the first time protectors of the peace have fallen prey to the lure of easy drug money. The high-profile Los Angeles Police Department Rampart scandal involved anti-drug officers selling drugs and framing gang members. A former commander of U.S. anti-drug operations in Colombia was found guilty of laundering the profits of his wife's heroin smuggling operation. Entire countries have been destabilized due to the corrupting influence of the illegal drug trade. Like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, the drug war is causing tremendous societal harm, while failing miserably at preventing use. While U.S. politicians ignore the drug war's historical precedent, European countries are embracing harm reduction, a public health alternative based on the principle that both drug abuse and prohibition have the potential to cause harm. [continues 85 words]
The U.S. Department of Justice's Asset Forfeiture Program will give a check to the Kaua'i Prosecutors' Office and Police Departments, it was announced Friday. Edward H. Kubo, Jr., United States Attorney for the District of Hawai'i, and Briane M. Grey, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, announced that a total of $421,124.83 will be distributed to county, state and federal agencies. The Honolulu, Hawai'i County and Maui Police Departments, Maui Prosecutors Office, Hawai'i National Guard, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Immigration and Customs enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, and Department of Public Safety also will receive asset forfeiture checks. [continues 135 words]
There has been a lot of posturing regarding a "war" against drugs on Kaua'i, with Mayor Bryan Baptiste leading the effort. An islandwide anti-drug coalition is in its initial states of formation, and the new head of the coalition has been selected. This week a Kaua'i police officer filed a law suit in federal court in Honolulu that is providing the first big test of the mayor's pledge to combat the sale and use of illicit drugs on Kaua'i. [continues 300 words]
The Senate Ways and Means committee Friday passed a bill that would provide Kaua'i with money to combat crystal methamphetamine use. The bill would provide funding for enforcement, but may also include funding for treatment and prevention. The amount of funds for the project remains "unspecified." Prior versions of the bill had the money coming from asset forfeitures, tobacco stamp taxes and the federal tobacco settlement fund. "In general, I think spending forfeiture money to fund drug treatment programs is a very good idea," said state Sen. Gary Hooser (D-East Kaua'i-Ni'ihau) in a call from his Honolulu office Friday afternoon. [continues 502 words]
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. [continues 126 words]
After dozens of community meetings, some labeled "Crisis on Drugs," and public appearances in which Mayor Bryan Baptiste said he would hire a drug program coordinator, someone has been chosen for the job. Roy Nishida, former executive director for Kauai Economic Opportunity, was chosen by a selection committee and hired by Baptiste on March 25. He moves into the Mo'ikeha Building April 16. "I'm not really experienced in drug treatment, I look at it like community development," Nishida said in an interview with The Garden Island. [continues 915 words]
I was disappointed in the news coverage of the recent "Crisis on Drugs" meeting in Kilauea (Tues., April 1, 2003) The writer did a good job summarizing the comments made by panel participants but that was only half the meeting. Each panel participant was given ten minutes to speak. Their speeches covered only about half of the four hour meeting. I wonder if the reporter left the meeting early. What was missing in the report were the concerns of the community: their fears of reporting criminal activity, their lack of trust in whom to go to with information and frustration with present laws. What was also missing in the report was the great job done by Mel Rapoza in facilitating the meeting and by the representatives from the KPD who fielded some difficult questions and helped to keep civility with a volatile issue. [continues 61 words]
Roy Nishida, a veteran administrator of a number of organizations on Kaua'i as well as former Gov. Ben Cayetano's liaison for the Island, is Mayor Bryan Baptiste's choice to head up the administration's war on drugs. Nishida is well respected in the community, and has a track record of success behind him, and we wish him well in taking up this position. The results of the drug task force will be obvious: If drug-related crimes go down, if the number of ice-addicted criminals entering our prisons goes down, if the use of drugs in our schools go down, then the program will have proved itself successful. [continues 114 words]
It really sickens me every time I turn on the TV I see thousands of people demonstrating against the war in Iraq. It sickens me even more to know the demonstrators are doing it to our young men and women who are there doing a job to defend what we believe in, our Freedom. It's a gift to be able to walk to go to places without being afraid of those who would want to try once again to bomb our country, or to destroy our beliefs or break us mentally. It sickens me to know how ignorant demonstrators are that, because of the wars, we are/were able to rid people who are undoubtedly, labeled as cowards, murderers, and bullies. It sickens me to know that all of the energies those demonstrators have are directed for the wrong causes. [continues 173 words]
There have been many articles and letters in The Garden Island recently regarding drugs on Kaua'i. There are documented facts that prove that poor nutrition and overuse of sugar causes depression and anxiety. And yet, in our schools, you can purchase a can of soda with nine teaspoons of sugar in it. Most school lunches are little better than fast foods. Then there are "legal" drugs. Yes, Ritalin, or "legal ICE". This drug is a form of methamphetamine, actually prescribed for our children. Combine poor nutrition with sugar, mix with teenager's hormones and the results are depression and anxiety, which can lead to drug and alcohol abuse. [continues 132 words]
Fighting the use and sale of "ice" and the possession of illegal guns are two items at the top of the list for Hawai'i's Federal Prosecutor Ed Kubo. He is promising to move on "removing habitual offenders off our streets." Kubo pointed to the arrest of Michael Anglin in Honolulu who allegedly had an illegal handgun, as well as a considerable amount of illegal drugs in his possession. Anglin has 43 prior arrests and had pulled out a handgun and cocked the trigger in front of some youths at a drive-in restaurant. [continues 397 words]
Roland Licona, a member of Kaua'i's Kawaihau District Leadership Coalition was among 1,500 individuals from across the country who recently attended the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) National Leadership Forum . He learned strategies to prevent substance abuse and meeting with our area's lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Licona is a District Supervisor. He is an active volunteer member of the Kawaihau community leadership coalition-a partnership of parents, teachers, young people, law enforcement, health providers, the faith community, business and civic leaders, elected officials and other concerned citizens whose mission is to make Kaua'i safe, healthy and drug-free. [continues 165 words]
At just about all of Mayor Bryan Baptiste's public appearances since a Feb. 12 "Crisis on Drugs" meeting, he's challenged the community to perform small miracles, and the community challenged him to hire a "drug program coordinator." Eight people had applied as of Friday but resumes are due at close of business March 13. Kaui Tanaka of the Mayor's Office would not comment on who submitted résumés. The selection committee will meet Monday to determine the guidelines and timelines, Tanaka said. [continues 296 words]
The solution to Kaua'i's drug problem is a coordinated effort from everybody in the community. That's the island-wide message coming from community leaders these days. Wednesday night two meetings were held to address the issue, one at Princeville and one at 'Ele'ele School. About 100 North Shore businesspeople and residents from around the island came to the North Shore Business Association's annual meeting Thursday to hear what the Kaua'i Police Department, the island's treatment centers and schools are doing about Kaua'i's substance abuse problems. [continues 711 words]
The "dozens of substance abuse arrests" made by Kaua'i Police Department officers who work in schools in the Kawaihau District are cause for alarm. These days zero tolerance drug enforcement poses a greater threat to youth than drugs. According to the Monitoring the Future Survey, over half of all high school seniors have tried an illicit drug. Denying a majority of the nation's youth an education is not in America's best interest. Most teenagers outgrow their youthful indiscretions involving drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other hand, can be life-shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to "soft on drugs" criticism. And thousands of Americans have paid the price in the form of shattered lives. More Americans went to prison or jail during the Clinton administration than during any past administration. [continues 87 words]
Our series of articles focusing on "ice" and other illicit drugs used and sold on Kaua'i is drawing the interest of the public. Yesterday our lead story on a school presentation on how parents can combat the drug plague drew a good number of callers to discuss the issue on local radio. At Princeville last night an anti-drug talk was the center of attraction, according to an early report. This issue needs to become of primary concern across the Island. It is a problem that will hit everyone of us in one way or another. If not personally through a robbery or drug problem of a family member or friend, it will hit your pocketbook through the millions in tax dollars needed to pay for services for the criminals sent to prison for drug-related crimes, for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, and for foster care and other social services related to those left behind in the wake of drug abuse. Watch for a report on the Princeville meeting where drug use on the North Shore was discussed in Friday's issue of The Garden Island. [end]
A Kaua'i Police Department in-school officer has made about 100 substance abuse arrests at Kapa'a High School in less than one year, with many of the arrests drug-related. Some 75 percent of the arrests were of ninth graders. Kaua'i Police Department School Resource Officer Mark Ozaki and others spoke out about the drug abuse situation in the Kawaihau District at a meeting on the problem held at Kapa'a Elementary School Thursday. Vice Officers Darla Abbatiello, Paddy Ramson, and Ale Quibilan displayed drugs and paraphernalia at the meeting. They answered questions about what the KPD can and cannot do in regards to neighborhood drug busts. [continues 1048 words]
The Garden Island's reporter Kendyce Manguchei contributed an eye-opener article to today's issue on the subject of drugs in our communities and schools. Kaua'i Police Department officers who work in schools in the Kawaihau District told of dozens of substance abuse arrests inside schools. The KPD officers provided a graphic exhibit on what drugs look like, and what they are doing to our communities. One vice officer claimed that just about every arrest she is involved in is linked to drug abuse. [continues 203 words]
I am writing in response to your article concerning Kauai's "War" on drugs. I am a former resident of Kauai, as well as a former Kauai Police Officer. I am dismayed at some of the statements County counsel member Mel Rapozo made in the article concerning KPD's response to the island's drug problem. First of all, this "problem" isn't anything new to the island. It has been ongoing for years. When I was fortunate enough to be hired on with the Kauai Police Department in 1991, till I left in 1997, the drug problem was there, reaching epidemic proportions in 1997, with the "Ice" problem. [continues 175 words]
LIHU'E - For new County Councilmember Mel Rapozo, the island's war on drugs is personal. Very personal. He has a brother who was addicted to crystal methamphetamine, a drug known on the street on Kaua'i as ice. Rapozo told his story to members and guests of the Lihu'e Business Association at Hawai'ian Classic Desserts on Rice Street here. Though his brother is now clean, permanent damage has been done, he said. One of his cousins is in prison, probably for life, because of drug problems, Rapozo said candidly in front of around 30 people. [continues 485 words]
Councilman Mel Rapozo was blunt in his descriptions of the destructive forces unleashed when our youth use the drug ice. Rapozo told a gathering of the Lihue Business Association of how the drug hurt a member of his own family, and how users congregating in local beach parks have taken away a favorite long-time gathering place of his family. Rapozo favors drug testing of government employees and bringing drug sniffing dogs into schools. His stand on controlling drugs is to strictly penalize dealers of illicit drugs. [continues 111 words]
Weeding out drug users and drug pushers in our public schools is a critical mission. Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona spoke out yesterday, calling for drug testing of some high school students, saying drugs are a major problem in Hawai'i's schools, and the problem is impacting the education of all students. Speaking before the Senate Education and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs committees, Aiona was speaking in favor of a bill alive in the Legislature that would set up a pilot drug testing and rehabilitation program in at least one public high school in each school complex area across the state. Parents, or legal guardians, would have to sign off before the testing could take place. [continues 434 words]
Crisis On Drugs Group Gets Advice From Off Island Halfway through a session that went from enthusiastic to somewhat nit-picky when it came to discussion of plotting of "systemic approaches to development of plans," Mayor Bryan Baptiste pounded his fist on the table. "I hope that the coordinator can put all the pieces together. I need someone who will eat, sleep, whatever the crusade against this epidemic. I am not going to wait anymore. I can be criticized for it, but I'm going to take that first step. I'm going to do it," he said. [continues 933 words]
Yesterday a representative of Big Island mayor Harry Kim brought to the island advice on how to fight drug abuse on Kaua'i. He briefed Mayor Bryan Baptiste and a gathering of about 50 persons involved in the fight against drug abuse on Kaua'i. His advice was to get the entire community involved, from government agencies, the communities, the schools, churches. He also advised offering a variety of programs because all drug users don't fit the same mold. The gathering of county officials and elected officials, law officers and others involved in the fight on drugs is a positive step ahead. [continues 150 words]
Mayor Bryan Baptiste's war on drugs got a boost with action by the full Council on Thursday in approving a state-administered grant to shut down crystal methamphetamine ("ice") laboratories should they surface on Kaua'i. At its meeting at the historic County Building, the council gave approval to the Kaua'i Police Department's request to obtain and seek a $35,625 Byrne Grant. The grant would be used for the training of a "clandestine laboratory response team," hiring of two more officers, purchase of equipment and for programs to educate the public about dangers of the drug, Kaua'i Police Chief George Freitas Jr. told the council. [continues 581 words]
Gov. Linda Lingle has told Mayor Bryan Baptiste that she will help fund a residential drug treatment facility on Kaua'i. A substance abuse recovery facility named Serenity House, located in Kapa'a, served this purpose years ago. Though Serenity House is history the place it served in our community is still well remembered. It is a facility that is still often referred to in terms of "Kaua'i once had..." The new drug and alcohol abuser treatment facility may end up in a location near the old Serenity House. The county is reportedly in talks with the state's Hawaii Health Systems Corp. to put the facility on a site along Kawaihau Road in Kapa'a. [continues 493 words]
I was astonished at Elaine Dunbar's arguments (Forum, January 24) on drug testing students. She suggested drug testing our senators, law makers, or even the President instead of the students. Fine, let them be tested too, but I am convinced that most of them were already given a drug test. The big question is where we have the biggest drug abuse problems. Among the school age children-that's what all the newspapers report. Children are our future-is it not what we have been saying? Then' we'd better do something about our future. [continues 524 words]
NUKOLI'I - The island's war on drugs gained a powerful ally recently, as Gov. Linda Lingle told Mayor Bryan Baptiste she is willing to help fund establishment of a residential drug-treatment facility on the island. County representatives are in negotiations now with representatives of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, which operates Mahelona Medical Center Hospital, for space for such a facility along Kawaihau Road in Kapa'a, Baptiste said. Dialogue continues with the state attorney general's office, and county representatives are also inquiring about the availability of federal funds, after learning the Big Island recently got $5 million to fight its crystal methamphetamine ("ice") problem, Baptiste said. [continues 407 words]
Many involved in the fight against drugs on Kaua'i agree there are gaps in the process from law enforcement to treatment and follow-up care. Those who need drug treatment have some options on the island, "intensive outpatient treatment" being the most common plan. Kaua'i's three centers offer outpatient services, which consist of group sessions and counseling, check-ins and meetings. A detox center is available at Mahelona for alcohol and "street drugs" like crystal methamphetamine, the drug of choice these days. [continues 1086 words]
Lingle wants to follow up on Senate President Bunda's call for drug testing of students... how about a drug testing call for Bunda. Is this the direction of the Department of Education reform? Don't parents have consent for an intrusionary and unconstitutional act of drug testing their minor child? The testing in itself implies a distrust or accusation of drug use; not necessarily proof. So if the student is not using drugs but they are mandated to submit to testing, what does that implant in the students mind - I really believe this will create a long list of negative messages. [continues 258 words]
On the front page of TGI (1-10-03) Mayor Bryan Baptiste is quoted as saying, "The drug problem is our biggest problem" The front page editor picked up the mayor's theme and placed the following words in a red-lined box: "Drugs: Kauai's No. 1 Problem." The mayor made his statement at a meeting of more than 60 representatives from various Kauai agencies dealing with illegal drug use. However, a glaring contradiction is found within the front page story. [continues 559 words]
People who do ice are as suicidal as cigarette smokers. They permanently harm their physical brain and are therefore unrehabitable. They can no longer feel pleasure from their senses and therefore always are suffering from depression. They remain borderline psychopaths, a constant danger to themselves and others. They will steal anything from anybody to support their habit. Their emotional condition is one of paranoia and anger. This situation is exactly hell and very costly to our community. Counseling and education, not prohibition, are the best methods for treating this epidemic medical problem. Kapa'a [end]
State Senate President Sen. Bobby Bunda became the center of attention at yesterday's opening of the Legislature. His remarks on revisiting a light rail commuter train system for O'ahu drew the most attention. Senator Bunda also announced he is for drug testing of Hawai'i's high school students. In an interview given Tuesday, Bunda said a main key to rooting out the drug dealers and drug suppliers in Hawai'i is to find out who they are through the users. Unfortunately a number of those users are apparently high school students. [continues 57 words]
All of Kaua'i's legislators understand the need to wage war on illegal drugs, and are in positions to provide ammunition for that fight. They have allies among the state House's Democratic majority. Legislation is being formally introduced today to authorize continued warfare against drug abuse, according to state Rep. Mina Morita (D), Ha'ena to Wailua). The proposal is being introduced following several months of work and will include legislation addressing the fight against illegal drug use, and specifically a push for more community-based rehabilitation programs, Morita said. [continues 589 words]
"The drug problem is our biggest problem and a reflection of other challenges we face," Mayor Bryan Baptiste said at a meeting held Thursday morning to address what's being called a drug abuse crisis on Kaua'i. More than 60 representatives from various Kaua'i drug prevention, intervention and treatment agencies met at the Civil Defense Agency's Emergency Operations Center to discuss actions that have-and haven't-worked, and how to organize efforts islandwide. Kaua'i Police Department vice officer suggested a county-wide operations plan, which includes creating a framework for organizing the dozens of different agencies working on the drug problem, and drawing up specific objectives to a general plan. [continues 719 words]
Mayor Bryan Baptiste yesterday began attacking Kaua'i top social problem - drug abuse. The problem is filling our jail cells, ruining young and old lives, apparent on our streets and in our homes. The problem is destroying families, skyrocketing crime rates and seeping into our schoolyards. The mayor brought together law enforcement officials, those who run drug prevention programs, counselors who deal with drug addicts trying to turn their lives around. He is on the right track. However, holding a conference is one thing, actually seeing action and results is another. We call upon all who attended the meeting to take action and soon. It's not time for feel-good talks and broadbrush, pie-in-the-sky plans. [continues 53 words]
Kauai Community Correctional Center across Kuhio Highway from Wailua Golf Course remains locked down today after five inmates tested positive for methamphetamine, the warden said yesterday. Correctional officers found paraphernalia in the form of a drug pipe yesterday. Kauai Police Department will conduct its own investigation as the KCCC in-house investigation continues, said Neal Wagatsuma, KCCC warden. All work releases, passes and community-service releases for the inmates have been canceled for the entire month of December, he said. Until he gets some answers, KCCC will remain in lockdown mode. "We really want to get the culprits," especially those responsible for bringing drugs to the facility, Wagatsuma continued. [continues 138 words]
LIHU'E - The island's drug problem is bigger than the mayor, according to the mayor-elect. It is bigger than the police department, and bigger than the state judicial system, said County Councilmember Bryan Baptiste, who in less than two weeks will be sworn in as mayor. But, it is not bigger than the island, said Baptiste, who feels a collective effort can make a difference in the local war on drugs. "We need to give this problem the attention it deserves," Baptiste told over 30 members of the Lihue Business Association at its monthly meeting yesterday at Hawaiian Classic Desserts on Rice Street here. [continues 812 words]
The Kaua'i Police Department is using a new federal computer communications system that has the power to track drug offenders and suspects throughout the United States. Larry Burnett, director of the Hawaii High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program, presented a series of crime statistics related to the increasing drug problem in Hawai'i, in particular, crystal methamphetamine - often called "ice" or "batu." The monthly police commission meeting was held Friday afternoon in the Historic County Building. Burnett said the goal is to reduce drug-related crime in Hawai'i by 10 percent in two years; by 25 percent in five years. A statewide $2.5 million grant will go toward programs to achieve that goal. The KPD is eligible for about $90,000 for training and specific drug operations. [continues 527 words]
