LIHU‘E — Substance abuse has devastating effects on individuals and their families, threatening the health and future of the youth and communities, states a proclamation announcing February as Drug-Free Hawai‘i Awareness Month with the theme of “Live Aloha, Live Drug-Free.”
“We applaud the many volunteers and community agencies which have planned events and activities during the month to educate the public about the effects of substance abuse in the home, workplace, schools and communities,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in issuing the proclamation. “We encourage people to lead safe, healthy and drug-free lifestyles here on Kaua‘i.”
The County of Kaua‘i, along with the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai‘i and in partnership with other government agencies, businesses, law enforcement, education, health and human services and community groups banded together to sponsor the drug-awareness campaign.
Preventing substance abuse and promoting healthy family lifestyles are cost-effective and help prevent negative consequences such as impaired health, violence, delinquency, abuse, neglect and crime, the proclamation states.
Crystal methamphetamine poses the greatest drug threat to Hawai‘i, followed by marijuana and cocaine, according to the 2010 Hawai‘i High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area annual report.
Students, by the time they become seniors in high school, have tried cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs, states the 2006 Hawai‘i Student Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Use Study. In the study, 12 percent have tried an illicit drug, 40 percent have tried cigarettes and 73 percent have tried alcohol.
The county Anti-Drug Office, operating under the Office of the Mayor, states the age of first use of alcohol is 11 for boys and 13 for girls, according to the 2010 County of Kaua‘i Epidemiological Profile of Alcohol Related Behaviors Among Youth.
Other statistics show the rate of prescription drug use initiation exists in 6th grade and the 12th grade rates exist at 14 percent, pointing to the importance of monitoring the use of prescription drugs for youth.
Marijuana use, according to the 2007 report, includes 14 percent of Hawai‘i’s 10th graders and 21 percent of 12th grade students using marijuana. One in 13 students met the criteria for substance abuse or dependence and 10 percent of 12th graders met the criteria of needing substance abuse treatment.
County Anti-Drug coordinator Theresa Koki said the Anti-Drug Office is emphasizing three areas during the month-long awareness campaign.
Agencies will be able to apply for grants from $250 to $2,500 for programs by visiting www.kauai.gov/antidrug after Feb. 20.
Additionally, she said the Anti-Drug Office will launch a pledge card competition among students of all middle and high schools on Kaua‘i.
Three contracts for the proposed adolescent treatment center will be negotiated for feasibility study, environmental assessment and architectural drawings.
Richard “Dickie” Louis, 62, of ‘Oma‘o is no longer with us, shot by Kaua‘i Police Department officers Wednesday, following a stand-off of several hours while resisting arrest on a warrant which included drug-related charges dating back to 2007, states a county news release.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney listed four people involved in drug-related charges during the Grand Jury indictments for January, 2012, which was released by the county Tuesday.
Another drug-related issue appeared in The Garden Island newspaper Friday morning when two defendants in a court case involving the discovery of nearly half pound of cocaine in a bag at Nawiliwili Harbor will proceed on May 7 after attempts to suppress testimony and evidence was denied.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
