WAIMEA — “Taking Care of Our ‘Ohana is Our Kuleana” is the theme of a series of meetings scheduled by the county Anti-Drug Office. A recent family event highlighted some of the same areas of concern, said Theresa Koki, the
WAIMEA — “Taking Care of Our ‘Ohana is Our Kuleana” is the theme of a series of meetings scheduled by the county Anti-Drug Office.
A recent family event highlighted some of the same areas of concern, said Theresa Koki, the anti-drug coordinator, but last Monday’s event was coordinated by the Family Focus group at Waimea High School with Judy Cano.
More than a hundred people took advantage of free hot dogs, popcorn and soda while listening to speakers discuss some of the serious issues facing today’s youth.
Among the guests were Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. and Dee Morikawa, a candidate for the state House of Representatives from the Westside.
Keith Kamita of the state Narcotics Enforcement Division presented the seriousness of over-the-counter medications and prescription drug abuse.
His office recently coordinated an outdated and unused medication take back program at both locations of Longs Drugs stores where residents could bring their old or unwanted medications.
This came on the heels of President Barack Obama signing the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act, Oct. 12, where local programs could collect and dispose of prescription drugs.
According to an Associated Press article, previously it was illegal to turn over controlled substances to anyone but law enforcement, leading people to dispose of unused prescription medications in the trash where drug-seeking individuals could find them.
Medications were also flushed down toilets leading to water contamination.
During the recent take-back program organized by the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 121 tons of medications were received nationwide.
Koki said Kaua‘i residents can find out more on drug and alcohol addiction, residential treatment, Clean and Sober Homes, and therapeutic living in community settings through a series of meetings Nov. 8 through Nov. 17. All meetings will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Monday meeting will be held at the Kapa‘a Middle School; Tuesday’s will be at the Kilauea Neighborhood Center; Nov. 15’s meeting will be at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall; and the final meeting will be on Nov. 17 at the Hanapepe Armory.
The meeting format will feature a panel of speakers providing information with the second hour allowing for community input.
Rebecca Smith of the American Lung Association, one of the vendors at the Family Focus event said there will be an evening of fun activities and anti-smoking awareness when it joins REAL, the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawai‘i, and Tobacco-Free Kaua‘i at the REAL Rock N Bowl event, Nov. 19 from 8-11 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Bowling Center.
Smith said there is a dollar admission for the event, but there will also be a lot of fun events, activities and bowling.
For more information on the meetings, call 241-4925.
