COM 0990.023 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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i Hawaii County Council Committee on Finance Chair Aaron Chung RECEIVED Re: Continued Funding of Marijuana Eradication Program 9y;._"---" County Council c Dear Chair Chung, As the retired Major of the Narcotics/Vice Division of the Honolulu Police Department and the current Regional Coordinator for a federally funded Narcotics and Gang Intelligence program called the Western States Information Network, I would like to share some of my thoughts on the issue at hand. Marijuana use is steadily increasing, particularly in the youngest segment of our society This will continue unless strong counteractive measures are implemented to reverse declining rates in the disapproval of drug use and the perception of its dangers. Domestically cultivated cannabis, such as that which is grown and flourishes in covert patches throughout the island of Hawaii, further compounds the problem of increasing marijuana use as it provides a seemingly endless supply of high-grade marijuana to satiate expanding demand. The issue of whether or not to accept eradication funding is but another distraction that leads to a perception of tolerance towards marijuana use. It comes at a time when children are hearing fewer cautions about the ill effects of marijuana from key sectors of society, parents, schools, athletes, and the media. Consequently, whether it is a national debate concerning the medical efficacy of marijuana or a local City Council Hearing questioning an eradication program the results are that the public is developing a perception of government tolerance toward marijuana use which then transcends into social acceptance. Marijuana is being touted by its advocates as a safe, beneign drug with no adverse side effects, yet one would only have to review the State of Hawaii Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division's, (ADAD) Client Data Systems Admissions to understand how problematic and addicting marijuana can be. Out of 6,901 persons admitted for drug treatment by ADAD between July 1997 to June 1998, 1,281 persons or 18.6% listed marijuana as their primary substance of abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse in Volume 1: highlights and Executive Summary, December 1997 issue, reported that marijuana is the top-ranking illicit primary drug abuse among treatment admissions in Chicago, Denver, and Minneapolis/St Paul-, it equals heroin as the top ranking drug in Seattle, and it also accounts for substantial porportions (>20percent) of admissions in Hawaii and New Orleans_ Marijuana use has increased significantly since the early 1990's when use was at its lowest level in decades. But we are quick to forget what it was like in the 1970's and early 1980's when Hawaii was known nationally for its "Kona Gold" and "Maui 9` 0. 23 ciomm. No. File 1,40. v56 Ret Presented F C- tt.f, n.•e NOV 1 7 1998