HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0749.069 1998-2000
JAY T. KIMURA 34RAINBOW DRIVE
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY HILO, HAWAII %720
ca
yL,y PH. %1 2766
CHARLENE Y. IBOSHI Pte' a 1159
FIRST DEPUTY 96I-2580
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY -
r-+WEST P.HAWAH UNIT
O. BOX 748
'4jt oi'+A+ KEALAKEKUA, HAWAII %750
PH. 322-2552
OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FAX' 322-6564
~ CrE~fVE$ TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF RESOLUTION 246-00mP_.__~.__ ay
Count,; Council
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney is providing testimony in support of the
County of Hawaii accepting federal funding for the marijuana eradication program.
Presently, marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit drug in Hawaii. Agencies
such as health, social welfare, educational and law enforcement have placed great
emphasis on blocking, averting, forestalling or eliminating those unfavorable results of
using, misusing and abusing illegal chemicals. Such efforts are particularly evident in the
rapid growth of parents groups alarmed by their children's drug usage. Parents are more
than concerned. They feel frustrated in their attempts to halt the increasing acceptance of
drugs as a means of getting high.
Drug taking behaviors are not a private matter. Allowing uncontrolled growth of
marijuana and other drugs will not save drug abuse related deaths, ease the pain of
children born with birth defects or prevent drug abusing parents from child and spouse
abuse. Drug dependent individuals strain family life, the medical care system and state
and federal budgets in terms of treatment and rehabilitation services. Although the
medical use of marijuana has been enacted, this does not legalize the growth and
possession of marijuana to persons without permit and prescription.
The concept of drug abuse prevention is not new. Dating back to the Harrison
Narcotic Act of 1914 and the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prevention
efforts have focused on a number of issues. While no one will argue that a demand
reduction strategy is an essential effort of prevention, a supply reduction strategy must
also be in place to reduce the supply if illegal drugs and limiting the availability of
therapeutic drugs with abuse potential. Marijuana growing and possession are illegal
Comm. No.•
File No.M
RefJUL 2 6
Ref. Date 2000
activities and unless marijuana is legalized by the state and federal government, the
Hawaii County Police Department is charged with the duty to investigate and stop these
illegal activities. The eradication program conducted by the Hawaii County Police
Department is a valuable tool in the supply reduction strategy to restrict accessibility of a
drug that will lead to lower consumption which in turn will result in fewer drug abuse
problems. This grant will also send a message to our youth in support of a healthier and
safer Big Island.
Respectfully submitted,
JA TAJ RA
P> * uting Attorpt/y