HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0427.002 1998-2000 Richard Toledo, Jr
65 Makani t,ircle co
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Hilo, Hawaii 96720 rn
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September 1999 ~ N ~
Hawaii County Council T ; ; ~
Committee ,>n Finance ? In _
Hawaii County Building z s
25 Aupuni Street ' o
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Attn: Aaron Chung, Chair
Subject: RIiSOLU'I'ION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTX OF I-IAWAII 'I'U ENTER
INTO AN P.GREEMENT WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, I'UKSUANT
TO HRS 46.7, FOR A MARIJUANA NRADICATION GRANT.
Dear Chairman Chung and Committee Members;
As a lifetime resident of Hawaii and father of four, grandfather of three, homeowner, and
businessman, I heartily endorse the continuation of marijuana eradication aztd prosecution
of violators n the cultivation and trafficking of controlled substances.
I am in pos~.ession of and have read the Legislative Auditor's report of August 27, 1999 •
on marijuana eradication. While there maybe differing opinions as to the accuracy or
validity of tt.e findings, it doesn't detract form the fact that we are a much safer society - ut
Hawaii - tgday because of the attempts to control or eradicate marijuana. I wlll further
say that I wish our endeavors to eradicate the traftickirtg of marijuana and persecution of
dnrg offendrirs were multiplied tenfold. The use of marijuana -except what might be
useful for m~;dical purposes - as a gateway dnrg is undeniable, evidenced by our daily
reminders of spouse abuse, teen suicides, theft, murder, rape, etc., largely attributable to
drug use. Tae explosion of Internet Websites promoting drugs and cuhivating a culture of
drug use as a lifestyle, teaching the tactics of chellanges to current anti-drug laws is
unending aztl feeds the f}enzy.
I worked for Hamakua Sugar for 16 years, starting with Laupahoehoe Sugar in 1972, and
saw firsthand the proliferation of marijuana cultivation in the cane fields. Initially, we had
a "live and lut live" policy on marijuana. Eventually, we could no longer tolerate the crop
damage, threats io employees, equipment damage, setting of booby traps, etc., associated
wtith the escalation o£ marijuana cultivation. But, worse of all, we slatted to realize that
many of our industrial accidents, employee problems, individual job performance decline
and community related "unusual circumstances" were the result of drugs, mostly
marijuana. "his was pointed out to us in a series of management seminars. We were
ignorant of the impact drugs was having in our plantation community because we were nqt
looking for it. Our attention was taken up, 24 hrs. a day, by the "business" effurts of
running a phrntation. Many ofus did nut believe we had a major drug problem, attributing
much of our problems to "lazy young kids". It was not until we instituted a drug T z 7. 00?.
Comm. No. T
File No. QEV
Ref. To• Pres~ntesE! iFL
Ref. Date 8 1599_ _
rehabilitati ~n program that we realized the fill impact drugs and alcohol had on our
workforce Our initial two-day-a-week counselor from Castle Medical Center became a
full time H3makua employee
Of course, the proponents of marijuana legalization don't regard the Auditor's Report as
credible since it does rtot support their allegations. Their agenda o£sel£gratification, self
satis£actioc, self greed, self abuse and self empowerment is shameful. Additionally, their
threat of impeachment and possible perswial financial ruin ofthose in public office who
are charged to comply with the law and further public health and welfare seems to be an
unlawful attempt to thwart enforcement of existing laws.
I have been involved with young people as an Army Officer, on the ground, coordinating
and directing actions of young men in combat, as a father of four and as a coach for a
major portion of my children's upbringing and 1 can tell you that messages we send to
these futur, citizens are received LOUD AND CLEAR. On matters of principle, we had
better be fi rnn and definitive. When it comes to drugs and drug abuse, the message should
be zero tolerance. Ambiguity and politically expedient responses is the part of "NO"
youngsters don't understand.
There is absolutely no social or economic benefit to this cornnwnity for the legalization of
marijuana, termination of marijuana eradication or relaxing the pursuit of druggies. I urge
the continuation of marijuana eradication and arrest and prosecution of drug offenders.
Thattk you for your kind attention.
Respectful! ,
f.
Rick Toledo, Jr.