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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0749.008 1998-2000 ~RC'M DRUG POLICY FOPLl OF HAWAI'I F~ONE kC. : 888 988 4386 t^.D 2000 01:42PM F1 D'r'ou P o I C y Forum o f h awai i ,M ay 1, 2000 r; Mr. Aaron Chung Chairman, Finance Committee HaNvai'i County Council Hilo, Hawai 'i Subject: Resolution 246-00: Funding for Marijuana Eradication B4c2ia(Drre~rors Dear Mr. Chung: Donald M. Toppiq, Ph,D. I am %vriting to urge you and your fellow Council members to rote ?,:O on President Resolution 246-00 when it comes before 'sou tomorrow Pamela G. Lich'„ b1.P.H. urcePresfdent I have been studying the marijuana eradication issue for a number of years, and John'N (utting,WD. have concluded that it is counter-productive in several respects. paniciiiarly when secermJ, the unintended consequences are considered. Pain Groesoeck,l.D. In the first place, the program has alienated a large number of Bigr Island residents ireosd.Ter - by invading their prey. icy and disturbing the peace Helicopters flying at pow Jeffreycraviford,Ph.Daltitudes create ahorrib e and frightening noise, and can have a de%astating effect Lynette Cruz, M.r,_ on, wild life as ,vell as domestic animals Richard'aesco D_o_ In addition, the program has nor succeeded in achieving its primar, foal, v hick is Richard S.r.aiier,iD the eradication of marijuana On the centrarv, marijuana is still availat,le to George Read, Ph D anyone who wants it, including school children, but at an exorbitant price- . Therein lies a serious problem wren Umemctc,Ph.D. Young people are no%N'7uyin marijuana in S25.GG "sacks" - the sma''.~sr una for sale This provides enough pot for about two average joints- Those same kids can pool their money and buy a $50.00 `-paper" of crystal methamphetaimine, wlllch is enough to keep tv. o grown men on a meta hrzh all day and int(, the night. Or; they can buy enough beer to bet falling down drunk- We see this happening all over O'ahu, and probably on the Bic Island as well. p N Has marijuana eradication contributed to this situation' My own analysis tells me ~ w yes- The correlation :s too ohviou> to cCntinue to ignore Please don-t constme my comments as advocatin;7 marijuana for yowl-. or br adults Hov ever. I am com.,inced that the eradication program in its current form Z gives implicit encouiaoennent for people -o spend their limited furi6s cn toxic anti ~ l~ ~ Drug Policy Forum of Hawai'i • P.0. Box 61233 • Honolulu, Hawaii 96839 • phonE% n. 808 988-4386 email: drnt@haviaii rrcom -web: tvww.drugsense.orgidpfhi FFCM DRUG FOL ICY FCRLM CF HALJA I ' I PF ONE r.C'. 8C2 gee 4386 h'--~ i cC00 81 : 4OPM FC debilitating drugs such as meth and alcohol Believe me, as drugs gc. marijuarla is far less harmful. Again, 1 urge you and your fellovc Council members to give serious consideration to the unintended consequences of the eradication prograin and votc NO on this resolution. A"hile it may provide gainful employment for a few, it is harming the fives of many. Sincerely, J Donald'-M. Toppin President.