Pubdate: Fri, 04 Apr 2003
Source: Garden Island (HI)
Copyright: 2003 Kauai Publishing Co.
Contact:
http://www.kauaiworld.com/kauai/letterstoeditor.nsf/webletter?openform
Website: http://kauaiworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964
Author: Kendyce Manguchei
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n243/a08.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Note: To read more about the "ice epidemic" in Hawaii, go to
http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Hawaii .

NISHIDA READY TO COORDINATE COUNTY'S ANTI-DRUG ABUSE EFFORTS

After dozens of community meetings, some labeled "Crisis on Drugs," and
public appearances in which Mayor Bryan Baptiste said he would hire a drug
program coordinator, someone has been chosen for the job.

Roy Nishida, former executive director for Kauai Economic Opportunity, was
chosen by a selection committee and hired by Baptiste on March 25. He moves
into the Mo'ikeha Building April 16.

"I'm not really experienced in drug treatment, I look at it like community
development," Nishida said in an interview with The Garden Island.

Nishida said he is thinking of doing "asset mapping" in areas around the
island, something he said he did with KEO. 

"So many people are doing different things," he said, and he has to find a
way to coordinate services, one of the main requirements of his job.

An official job description states that Nishida will participate in
developing a County of Kaua'i plan for combating substance abuse, and to
plan, coordinate and evaluate state, county and federally-funded programs
that apply to Kaua'i.

The public-private-community partnership "can resolve a lot of problems,"
Nishida said.

The selection committee included: Alton Amimoto, Hawai'i Judiciary drug
court coordinator (treatment); Annette Kramer, Alu Like (aftercare); Robyn
Mccarthy, Teen Court manager at Hale 'Opio Kaua'i (enforcement/
intervention); Jimmy Trujillo, Lihu'e Court Townhomes program director
(prevention); and Dely Sasaki, Department of Health family health services
coordinator (aftercare). 

The sixth member of the group was Marilyn Wong, who also served as
facilitator for the Crisis on Drugs meetings.

His community work has included assisting the Kaua'i March of Dimes
president, serving on the KEO board and on the Developmental Disabilities
Council-Kaua'i division. 

Nishida is the Makin-Olmstead facilitator for the Department of
Health-Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, involved with
getting clients access to non-medical community services. 

He has been to one Kauai Drug Free Coalition meeting since the group was
founded in 1998. Nishida was a Kauai United Way board member in the 1990s
before he became the governor's liaison and was last involved with the group
about three years ago.

"Roy's expertise is that he's been involved in human services and he has a
passion for being sure that people's needs are being met," said Wong, former
executive director of United Way of Kauai (since renamed Kauai United Way).

The minimum requirements for the drug program coordinator position include a
bachelor's degree and/or equivalent experience in social work, public health
or psychology. Also required is three years of professional experience with
a working knowledge of substance abuse prevention, rehabilitation, treatment
and education; and knowledge of related laws. 

"When we went through the selection process, although there were people with
experience...they were short in other areas, grant writing, working with
other organizations," said Amimoto, committee chair.

Nishida said he did not attend the Crisis on Drugs meetings prior to his
involvement with his new position, because his professional focus was not
related to drugs. He says he looks forward to meeting with those who are
involved.

Nishida admitted he hasn't been following drug-related legislation this
year, which include the "drug strike force" bill, which would establish a
state-funded "strike force" to combat the sale and distribution of illegal
drugs, in particular crystal methamphetamine.

As to drug treatment, Nishida said he would look to professionals in those
fields for assistance. 

"I am just a facilitator to get all the parts working together," he said.
"One person cannot cure this problem. We can take steps to reach the goal,"
he added.

"He may not have worked on that (drug treatment) specifically but he knows
how to do a systemic approach and he knows how to deal with people
professionally," Wong said.

Wong added that because Nishida was the governor's liaison, he can get in
"any of the doors." 

At KEO, Nishida started programs such as mediation classes, care-a-vans that
go into all areas of the island to help people in need. 

"What the mayor wanted is someone who knows the community well, somebody who
can access funding and community input. Roy Nishida was the only one who
mentioned the kupunas," said one committee member who spoke anonymously.

"I have to go with the person's attributes. Out of 20 or so (applicants), he
had the most experience," Amimoto said.

Before advertising the position, Baptiste said his challenge was to find
someone who can "speak the language" and can talk to people at all levels in
Kaua'i communities. Soft-spoken Nishida seems to have a lot of contacts,
according to the groups who call him when it comes to funding.

He is a personal friend of Senator Daniel Inouye, who secured millions for
the Big Island's coordinated anti-drug effort. "I probably will be working
with Senator Inouye and his staff and liaison to see how we can get federal
money," Nishida said.

"Although he seems like a stoic, standard, typecast guy, he can hit the
ground running and he knows who to call, and what can be done," Amimoto
said. 

"I think his best asset was his ability to be able to work in the political
arena to bring in grants," said another committee member who wished to
remain anonymous.

"I hope that he is able to mobilize all parts of the continuum," the same
person said.

Nishida has also connected with the State Department of Health-Alcohol and
Drug Abuse Division funding for anti-smoking, rural health and child abuse
programs. 

He has also accessed resources from clubs and businesses such as the Zonta
Club, Young Brothers, Lions Club, Rotary and Kaua'i Contractors Association.

"Roy presented himself in such a well-defined package: a connection with
government, ability to amass resources, not having to learn systems. If this
program is going to be successful, it's because he knows that people will
have to work together," Trujillo said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk