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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0323.002 2002-2004 FRED C.IIOLSCHUH,M.U. a+`.~"rte, icl: (808)961-8264 o.• . C'oancil Mernher yl,i;~ Pax: 1808) 961-8913 j.. ~ i. Of,M',M~ HA 11~~117 COUNTY COUNCIL Coun~r ojHa wai'i lluivai `i C'ui~nty 6ui[dinti September 2, 3002 ~g Aiy~zini,S~i~ee[ llIly, lluwai'f J(7_0 MEMORANDUM TO: James Y. Arakaki, Chair, and Council Members r; FROM: Fred C. Holschuh. M.D. c i-"r " RE: Resolution No. 9403, Authorizing Receipt and Expenditure of State Funds 1br an Adolescent Treatment Center and Community Anti-Drug Efforts on the Island of Hawaii t am writing to urge thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the administrations resolution to accept and expend $400,000 of state funds for an adolescent treatment center ($300,000) and community-based prevention initiatives ($100,000) as outlined in Resolution No. 9403. While the legislature's appropriation of these funds is a welcome response to our island's "ice epidemic" -and is, in itself, a testament to the leadership of Mayor Kim"s administration in rallying federal and state attention and resources I would urge the Council to proceed carefully as we assess the county's role in expending funds for what is essentially a public health problem. During the past year, marry citizens have come to appreciate the devastating scope and harm of crystal meth use on our island and to marshal acommunity-wide "war on ice." Some efforts are aimed at "supply side'" interdiction and prosecution of drug dealers. Funds for the police department's new drug lab and the establishment of distinct Hilo and Kona "ice teams" enhance these efforts. Our police department is not alone in this effort; the determination of U-S. Attorney Ed Kubo and the assignment of new DEA and FBI agents on our island is intended to add clout to the work of ]aw enforcement Meanwhile, funds to support a drug court offer hope for more treatment-based sentencing of offenders. On the "demand side," a variety of initiatives are underway. Already, $125 million has been dispersed by the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Adminish'ation (SAMHSA) in support of outstationed BISAC drug counselors in the Hilo, Laupahoehoe, Honokaa and Kealakehe High Schools, and a consortium of agencies comprising the "Pulama I Na O Pio Project" (Embrace Our Youth) in Puna. Other SAMHSA funds are going to a renovated Bay Clinic youth center in Keaau at the site ofthc tiirmer Wiki Wiki store. Reportedly, activities proposed for the Keaau Youth Center will support teenage "income and entrepreneurial ventures" such as computer instruction, a certified kitchen and music recording. Comm. No. 3 ~ 3. Ref. To; L Ref. Dote. .~Q~ Arguably, the most concerted initiative is for a youth treatment facility, for which Resolution No. 94-03 transfers $300,000 to the County. Through the efforts of Dr. Earl Bakken. U.5. Health & Human Services Director "fommy Thompson has pledged $900,000 ($300,000 annually for the next three years), a sum Dr. Bakken has pledged to match on behalf of a treatment facility, reportedly to be in Waikoloa. Separately, tunds from a federal COPS grant to the Hawaii Community Foundation are intended fora l6-bed youth treatment center offering, as stated by Billy Kenoi, "mauka to makai° treatment modalities. It is not clear how, where, and by whom this North Hawaii treatment facility is to be built, staffed and operated and what role the State Department of Health will play. Nor is it clear how the county's $300,000 will be expended on behalf of this h•catment facility. Nor is it clear how the County administration specifically plans to expend $100,000 on behalfof "community anti-dwg efforts aimed at preventing crystal methamphetamine use of the Island of Hawai `i." In his presentation at the Meth Summit f1 last week, Mr. Kenoi proposed the award of funds in amounts ranging from several hundred dollars to $1,000 to community groups, whether incorporated as nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or not, in support of any number of community and recreational activities. What remains unknown is the adminishation's criteria for the award of such monies, along with necessary protocols to account for expended public funds. "Epidemics" -whether contagious like SARS or behavioral like drug dependence are well understood by public health practitioners. Fundamental to our response must he the astute allocation of interventions to identified populations at risk. That is why the much-publicized debate over the cumber of ice users statewide is disturbing. When figures are tossed about ranging from 8,100 to 30,000 to 120,000, the reliability of targeted interventions with drug users becomes questionable. It is Fair to insist that public health strategies proceed from a reliable database against which efforts can he measured and, if needed, reassessed. Moreover, it is reasonable to heed key medical imperatives e.g., the importance of prenatal care, mental health treatment for dual diagnosis patients, etc. Community-based activism may contribute to drug awareness, but it cannot substitute flu critical medical care and the principles of prey ention. Sheer enthusiasm, determination and good will can go far to rally community response to the scourge of ice. but the prevalence and addicti~ e nature of ice presents thorny questions. The state's $400,000 appropriation is a finite resource. Accordingly, it is fair for the Council to ask questions, as follows: • What is the County's strategy for the "war nn ice"- i.e., enforcement, treatment, prevention, etc -and how is it coordinated with the state's strategic plan? What steps have been taken to assure that the proper agencies and organizations have been included and are consulted in the development of'strategy and program implementation How does Resolution No. 94-03 `fit"into the County's plan, and how will the,funds accepted be spent by the county administration? For these reasons, I invited Mc Kenoi to provide the Council with an outline of the administration's plans and projected expenditures for the funds accepted by Resolution No. 94-03. Thank you for your consideration of these comments. For additional reference, please see various news stories (attached) about last week's Meth Summit II at Waikoloa. August 26, 2003 Big Island's ice war gets more federal backing By Kevin Davton Advertiser Big Island Bureau WA~KOLOA, Hawaii -The federal goveirtmeut plans to provide more money and people, but community involvement is the critical factor in the Big Island's war on ice, according to speakers at the second annual Big Island ice conference yesterday. U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye called methamphetamine use "a horrible cancer in our society" and said the Big Island is leading the "crusade" against the drug. "You have demonstrated by your actions that you are not giving in, you are not giving up and you are not going away," Inouye told a crowd of about 300 at the conference. "'T'his will be the first community in the United States that will wipe out ice." U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo announced plans to open a branch office on the Big Island to help with federal prosecutions of dealers and smugglers, and said he expects other federal law enforcement agencies to expand their presence on the Big Island as well. The East Hawaii town of Pahoa will soon be the site of a Iederal "Weed & Seed" initiative that has been used to help clean up Chinatown and other troubled neighborhoods on Oahu. Kubo said the Bureau of Alcohol, "tobacco & Firearms has opened an office on the Big Island with one agent. Kubo said he hopes an additional agent will be added to the Big ]stand ATF office by the end of this year, and credited Inouye, D-Hawaii, with arranging to have a second Drug Enforcement Administration agem assigned to the Big Island. Kubo also said he hopes the Big Island DFA contingent later will he doubled to four, and that there will be additions to die two FBI agents working in the Kona area. Federal authorities have increased the number ofjoint operations they conduct with county police in [hc past two years, and Kubo said he expects to see more of those kinds of prosecutions involving drugs and firearms. "We intend to puck these kolohe individuals who dare to spread this ice among our neighborhoods. and we are going to be sending them to penitentiaries ou the Mainland," he said. Big Island Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna told about summit participants that police opened 353 ice cases in the past year and seized 12.6 pounds o1'methamphetamine with a street value of more than ~ I million. f le called the ice epidemic a form of"social terrorism," and said parents have actually approached him and thanked him for arresting their children because they diddt know what to do about their children's addiction. Inouye said the final touches arc being put on the U. S. Department of Justice's $4 million grant for the Big Island etTort. Of that $4 million grant, $ I million has been earmarked for ]aw enforcement, $2 million for prevention and education programs, and $ I million for drug-treahnent programs, said Billy Kenoi, executive assistant to Big Island Mayor Harry Kim. The senator also said he believes he will be able to land more federal money in the coming year to improve bus service on the island. Transportation is seen as a critical pari of the effort to combat drug use in rural areas because youngsters often have no way to get to recreation or treatment programs. The summit was the second held nn the Big Island to devise ways to cope with methamphetamine use. Social- service providers and law-enforcement authorities report use of the drug has reached epidemic proportions in some rural communities. Kitn declared war on ice shortly after his election in Tate 2000 after residents told him That the ice problem had become so severe that almost every family had been touched by it in some way. Since then, ice use has taken off as a statewide political issue, with lawmakers creating ajoint Ilouse-Senate committee to study the problem. Gov. Linda Lingle's administration is planning a statewide summit on drug abuse next month. A number of speakers emphasized the need for treahnent programs to solve the drug problem, and Kenoi said $ L9 million in federal money and $300,000 instate money is available for an adolescent drugtreatmen( facility on the Big Island. He said he hopes to break ground on a 16-bed facility for boys and girls in Wcst Hawaii by January. Medical inventor and philanthropist Dr. Hart Bakken announced in a videotaped message at the conference that he intends to contribute $900,000 of his own money over three years to help cope with the ice problem. Kenoi said he is uncertain how that money will be used. August 26, 2003 Ice wars: Inouye optimistic fay KAREN [WAMO"f0/ West Hawaii "today Senator: '"this will he thc~ first communrh~ to ripe out ice' Government officials promised to increase federal law enforcement on the Big Island and completely wipe out ice (crystal methamphetamine) from neighborhoods. "This is not going to fizzle out. This will he the first community to wipe out ice," U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye told approximately 300 participants gathered Monday at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott for the second Hawaii Island Meth Summit. The community has yet to see the $4 million he promised at last year's Meth Summit, but Hilly Kenoi, the mayor's executive assistant, said the money will be appropriated by the Department of Justice and has been earmarked for the following: $ I million for law enforcement needs; $1 million for treatment and rehabilitation programs (including an additional $900,000 from private organizations and $30,000 from the state); $2 million for prevention and education programs, with $500,000 earmarked For a community anti -drug fund and an additional $100,000 from the state. Big Island Mayor Harry Kim said the summit offered community members an opportunity to talk candidly with their elected officials. "Because of the value of not making waves that many of us have, we have a lot of things in the community not as we want it to be," Kim said. "We suffer in silence. Now is the time for us to open up." Since last year's summit, police have initiated 353 ice cases and arrested 200 people for possessing ice -including a I S -year -old boy found with 12.6 grams oC the drug in his backpack, said Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna. In the last year, Mahuna said, police have recovered 12.6 pounds of ice valued at $1.46 million. Mahuna likened ice to social terrorism and said the drug tears apart the fabric of society. "I know from firsthand experience, living next to an ice house myself," he said. "The whole demeanor of the neighborhood changes." U.S. Attorney Edward Kubo satd he would work to further increase law enforcement powers in the state - specitically changing the state's wire -tap law, which he described as a complicated process and hinders prosecution the way it stands. I ie also said he is committed to reinstating the state's so -called "walk and talk" law, which allowed police to approach and question random passengers provided the passengers gave officers consent. 't'hat ]aw was ruled unconstiuuional in 1992, he said. Eighty percent of the ice found on the Big Island is brought through airports and the increased airport security since Sept. I I does not specifically target drugs, he said. ""I he Transportation Security Administration does not look for drugs. All they are concerned with is airplane passenger safety," Kubo said. ""they are looking for explosives, not drugs." Since last year's summit, he said, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has opened a Big Island office and the Drug Enforcement Agency has stationed one agent permanently on the island, with plans to station more agents if funding i~ available. Increasing and improving treahnent, education and prevention programs were emphasized at last year's summit, but a "mauka to tnakai" treatment center remains in the planning phase and those needing long -term intensive treatment still must be sent off island. Hut Inouye said he has already noticed positive changes in the community. He noted an increase in community involvement since last year's summit, including town meetings and ]ocal sign wavings and said he was committed to improving public transportation on the island as a means to getting youth ofl~the streets and into after school programs. Kevin Kunz, a Kona medical doctor with experience treating drug addicts, said residents play a crucial role in helping ice addicts. Traditional treaunent programs can fail, he said, but a caring and involved community cannot. Kenoi told participants change wi II riot be instantaneous but promised it would come over time. "'I'bis is not just about ice," Kim said. "This is about us, who call this place home, Taking back our community." Contacts: Big Island Meth Summit www.healingomisland.com August 26, 2003 Kubo urges safety over privacy By Chris Loos/ Tribune-Herald WAIKOLOA -Hawaii's U.S. Attorney, F.d Kubo, said it is time for the pendulum in Hawaii to swing away from protecting personal privacy and toward protecting public safety. At the second "hlawaii Island Meth Summit" in Waikoloa on Monday, Kubo said he warns to amend the stale Constitution so law enforcement authorities can bring back the state's "walk and talk" program. Before the Elawaii Supreme Court struck down the law in 1992 as an invasion of privacy, police could question suspicious people at Hawaii airports wlto might be smuggling drugs. "This program was very, very successful," Kubo said. Since the program was declared unconstitutional, "Drugs have been coming in galore -and through the airpor is the No. 1 way," Kubo said. "What you have is the hen house being unguarded and the fox knowing it." Kubo said he wants to bring back "walk and talk" and add "knock and talk," which would allow police to knock at suspected drug houses without a warrant and ask if the occupants mind if officers look inside. At Monday's conference at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott, officials reviewed what steps have been taken to aanhat the illegal substance since Mayor Harry Kim declared a "war" on ice two years ago. Kim said he was pleased to see such tremendous community support. "Nowhere in my entire life of being born and raised in this beautiful place in paradise, have I ever seen the community rally around something like what is happening here," he said. Kubo said Kim and police Chief Lawrence Mahuna face a "severe and overwhelming challenge" to stop the ice problem on the Big Island. "I pledge to work with them until this epidemic is no more," he said. Kubo said the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms now has one agent in an office on the Big Island another should be hereby next year. He also hopes to expand the presence of the FBI and the Drug F.nfiircemcnt Administration. Whenever appropriate, the federal governmem will prosecute cases that involve dnigs and guns, Kubo said. "We are going to be sending them to penitentiaries on the mainland." Kubo's other recommendations included mandatory drug testing for all students and an end to privacy laws that prohibit school counsebrs from notitying parents or police when they learn through counseling that a child is involved in distributing drugs. "Schools should be able to force kids into drug treatment when counseling doesn't work," Kubo said. He said it would be easier to catch drug dealers if we could amend Hawaii's wiretap laws k. make them consistent with less restrictive federal laws. The state law requires the judge to appoint a public defender, while the federal law doesn't, Kubo said. The public defender then can request the documents in support of a wiretap, creating a security risk for informants. "If word ever gels out, people are going to be dying," Kubo said. Kubo also said he wants to increase support for the nuisance abatement law, which allows fudges to shut down drug houses through civil procedures without a trial. Hawaii County now has only one attorney and one investigator to work such cases, Kubo said. '7t's like fighting a tire one teaspoon at a time." In a videotaped statement, Dr. Barl Bakken vowed to match a $900,000 grant from the federal government over three years for a substance abuse treatment center in Waikoloa. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D -Hawaii, congratulated the Big Island community for identifying the "hon~ible cancer on our society" and rallying to fight it before the rest of the state did. "You are the leaders. You are the ones [hat hay e slatted the crusade and others are billowing," Inouye said. "I'm proud to he with you. You are providing a very helpful and hopeful path for the young people of this island." Inouye said the "finishing touches" are being made nn a $4 million grant Hawaii County will receive from the U.S. Department of Justice. About $2 million will be used for prevention and education. l`he other half will he law enforcement and treatment, said event host Billy Kenoi. Kenoi, Kim's executive assistant, said the county already has received nearly $2 million in separate federal Cunding that has gone Co a new police drug lab, a juvenile drug treatment center, more drug counselors in schools and a youth center in fast Hawaii. The island also slatted an adult drug court and is about to start one for juveniles. Inouye said he has requested additional funds io improve the Big Island's bus service. "phis bus system will be important to transport kids after school to community enrichment programs and away from drugs," he said. Inouye said he was impressed that the passion fur fighting the icc problem is as strong this year as it was a year ago. "This will be the first community in the United States that will wipe out ice," Inouye said. "We must and we will win." Chris Loos can be reached at c]oosLhawaiitribune - herald.com. fhe Associated Press contributed to this report. August 26, 2003 Big Island boasts new arsenal to battle ice' An official suggests amending Hawaii's Constitution to make wiretapping easier By Rod Thompson Honolulu Star-Bulletin WAIKOLOA RESORT, Hawaii - A year after the Big Island's first methamphetamine summit, the island has more money, more manpower and more programs in place or coming soon to tight "ice," speakers told the second annual Hawaii Island Meth Summit yesterday. "This will be the first community in the United States that will wipe out ice," predicted U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. But since much of the beefed-up effort is still in the pipeline, details remain to be worked out. Police Chief Lawrence Mahuna reported that his department has initiated 353 ice cases since last year, recovered 12.6 pounds of methamphetamine worth $l . I S million and made 200 arrests. "Wecaught a I S-year-old who had 16 grams (about half an ounce) of ice in his backpack," Mahuna said. The drug is valued at $200 per gram, Mahuna said, making the contents of the boy's backpack worth $3,200. Billy Kenoi, Mayor Harry Kim's drug coordinator, noted the creation of asix-member task force within the Police Department devoted solely to ice cases. The department has also received $00,000 for a crime lab, so drug samples will no longer have to be sent to Honolulu for testing, causing up to six months of delay per case. U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said the federal Drug Enforcement Administration plans to increase staff on the island to four agents from one, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Firearms and Tobacco plans to open an office. Inouye announced $4 million he obtained through the U.S. Department of Justice. Kenoi said $ I million of that will go for law enforcement, $1 million for treatment and $2 million for prevention and education. A $2.2 million facility to treat 48 teenagers a year based on Hawaiian cultural practices is being planned, Kenoi said. Its major benefit will be treatment on the Big Island instead of sending teenagers off island where they lose the support of their family, he said. Rather than spend $30,000 on one staff person in a prevention program, the county decided to distribute that money in $ I ,000 allotments to private agencies for recreation programs, he said. Money will also be spent on improving the county bus system to get kids to Che programs, he said. Kubo listed recommendations including amending the state Constitution to permit easier wiretapping and to resume "walk and talk" police programs at airports. banned by a 1992 state Supreme Court decision. Kubo also called for education and treatment. "This is no time to be stingy," he said. The ice summits are an outgrowth of a 2001 meeting between Inouye and Kim. "I think your mayor can take a lot of credit for it," [nouye said. "You are the leaders. You arc the ones that started this crusade, and others are following." l.t. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona Jr. will hold a statewide ice conference in Honolulu Sept. 15-17. New `ice' task force hopes to cut frustration of delay By Rod Thompson WAIKOLOA RESORT, Hawaii -Big Island residents with an "ice" distribution house in their neighborhood often complain about the seemingly slow response of police in getting rid of it. police Chief Lawrence Mahuna knows exactly what it leek like. An ice house was located two doors from his Waimea home. and the department needed five months to get rid of it, he said yesterday during the Big Island ice summit. During those five months. Mahuna's lawn mower was stolen, the tires were removed from his truck and thieves even stole a toilet from a bathroom in his garage. The incidents finally ended about eight months ago with the arrest of the suspects. 1'~e said. "h seemed like an eternity," he said. The creation of a new ice task force in the department should help, Mahuna said. The task force will have three officers in East Hawaii and three in West Hawaii, all assigned exclusively to crystal methamphetamine cases. That should speed up enforomnent. Instead of five months, the department is hoping to be able to close ice houses in a month to six weeks, Mahuna said. The task still will not be easy. To get evidence that will hold up in court, police need to send an undercover agent into a suspected drug house on more than one occasion to make at least a couple of drug buys, he said.