HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0990.023 1996-1998
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
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Wowie". When growers cognizant of the large demand both locally and nationally for
Hawaii marijuana would take whatever violent measures necessary to protect their illicit
crops. The results were people murdered, assaulted, and threatened by gun carrying
growers on public lands, violence erupting in protection of crops, and the formation of
organized crime groups managing and running marijuana operations.
Much work has been put forward by laws enforcement since the 70's and 80's, in
removing the stigma of tolerance for marijuana production in Hawaii. Through the
enactment of new and stronger laws, through state and federal law enforcement funding
and resulting formation of multi jurisdictional Marijuana Task Forces, involving federal,
state and county law enforcement cooperation, there has been success in reducing much
of the violent type lawlessness that existed in the 70's and 80's.
With the apparent resurgent popularity of marijuana in Hawaii and the rest of the nation,
law enforcement efforts must continue. As it is important to educate and to prevent, and
as it is important to treat and rehabilitate, it is critically important to enforce the laws, to
limit production of illicit substances, and to apprehend those that violate the law and
create personal suffering due to their own monetary greed. The marijuana grants are a
vital part of our State's Drug Reduction Program. Under the current Hawaii County Law
Enforcement Grants, more marijuana plants are eradicated then all other counties
combined. These efforts must continue. Please vote to allow for the continuation of
funding so law enforcement can do what is right for our people, for our communities and
for our State.
KENNETH TANO
MAJOR (RETIRED)
HONOLULU POLICE