Pubdate: Sun, 25 Nov 2007
Source: Molokai Times (HI)
Copyright: 2007 Molokai Times
Contact: PO Box 482123, Kaunakakai, Hawaii 96748
Website: http://www.molokaitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4493
Author: Dayanti Karunaratne

U.S. ATTORNEY SPEAKS ON DRUG PROBLEM, LISTENS TO  SOLUTIONS

U.S. Attorney for Hawaii Ed Kubo opened his speech last  Tuesday at
Kaunakakai Elementary with some harsh  statistics about his home state.

"Number one in the nation for drug use, number one in  the nation for
theft and property crime," the  Honolulu-born lawyer said, citing
figures from 2000 and  2002, respectively.

"And that deeply hurt me, because as a culture that's  not what we're
about."

Kubo told the audience of about 30 Molokai residents  that he came to
Molokai to gauge the problem of crystal  meth (or "ice") and
understand the needs of the  community, so that he can suggest funding
opportunities  in the future.

Calling methamphetamine the "worst drug that we have  ever seen" in
Hawaii, Kubo explained that the drug  first appeared in 1985, and came
from Philippines and  Korea. Now, he said, it's mostly coming from
Mexico by  airplane, mail and boat.

Kubo also explained why Hawaii has been targeted. In El  Paso, Mexico
a pound of crystal meth can be sold for  $2,500, which may seem like a
lot, until you consider  that in L.A. that same pound can be sold for
$7,000.  And in Hawaii? Nearly $30,000.

Kubo also shared some images from his drug prevention  presentations.
Kubo showed the group an image of a  healthy brain, and contrasted
that with a picture of a  brain after it had been affected by four
years of meth  use. Black clouds marked the dead brain cells, cells
that would never function properly again.

He also showed mug shots of users, pointing to sunken  cheekbones,
thinning hair and the gruesome 'meth  mouth'- a side effect that
causes teeth to break off  and rot.

But Kubo had a happier ending to his brief  presentation, sharing some
of the successes seen on  Oahu and the Big Island. Through a federal
program  called Weed and Seed, communities like Honolulu and  'Ewa
Beach have seen drug-related crime drop.

"It starts with pulling criminals out, arresting and  giving them hard
time," Kubo said, "it's all about  empowering the community."

Through graffiti fighting initiatives, neighborhood  watch programs,
and events like free movies on the  wall, Kubo said Hawaii has become
a model in the nation  of how community building can help solve the
problem of  crime and drug abuse.

Kubo also cited various statistics that showed a drop  in ice use in
those areas in 2004, after the Weed and  Seed programs had been
implemented.

Kubo ended his presentation by explaining that his term  in office
will end when President Bush leaves, though  there is a possibility
the next president will extend  his appointment as U.S. Attorney for
Hawaii.

But, Kubo added, "till the time they blow the whistle  and I got to
get out of the pool, I'll be with the  community."

Following the speech, various individuals addressed the  audience
about their concerns, understanding, hopes and  visions regarding the
problem of drug abuse in their  community.

First up was Wayde Lee, who runs a 21-day youth  rehabilitation
program. Pointing out that it costs over  $2,100 a day to incarcerate
one person, Lee suggested  an 'ohana based' approach to treatment.

By putting the whole family in treatment, Lee  explained, "you find
out who's stable in the family"  and help relatives understand how
they can assist in  the recovery process.

Lee also criticized what he called the "fragmented  services" of
traditional rehabilitation programs. He  said the system breaks up the
family, applies the law  too late after the damage has been done, and
said,  "there is no place in jail to ask for forgiveness, to  heal."

And if relatives use drugs, Lee added, the family home  isn't an
appropriate place for a person straight out of  treatment to make a
new start.

Lee proposed a place called Ho'oponopono, a place that  could host
three families at a time, where they could  go to spend time together
and work through the issue of  drug abuse.

Lee said this program would also develop healers who  would, in turn,
help drug users rehabilitate in years  to come.

Similar to what is practiced in Indian reservations,  this process
would include asking for forgiveness from  relatives and members of
the community they've wronged.

"Give them pride in who they are and what they stand  for," he
said.

Next up was Shari Lynn of Ka Hale Pomaikai recovery  center, who spoke
about the issue of post-treatment  recovery. She said people who have
gone through  treatment programs suffer from a lack of support from
families or community because their drug problem has,  on the surface,
disappeared.

She said, "that's why, so many years later, they're  jumping off the
cliff," referring to a statistic  earlier in the evening that cited a
rise in suicide  rates related to the rise in ice use.

Lynn reiterated Lees' message that Molokai needs a  family-based
approach to drug abuse.

"Cause family is forever."

She was also one of many who asked for Kubo's  assistance in finding
funds for these programs.

"I feel if you give us the means we can help to heal  our own
people."

Community police officer Lonnie Caparida then spoke to  the group
about his passion for taking down drug  dealers. But he also said
that, as law enforcement  officers, they must detect, arrest,
prosecute - and  help.

Caparida added, "I think the state drops the ball" on  the fourth
aspect, and that the "revolving door" of  prisons is a sign that they
are not doing their job  properly.

Addressing the audience at the end of the night, Kubo  said "I have a
good feeling about our Hawaiian culture  and how we can help
ourselves," adding that because he  is in office for 14 more months,
he promises to be in  Molokai more.

When asked about why Hawaii has fallen prey to ice  abuse so badly,
Kubo said, "I think it's because our  people are living in some of the
most depressed areas."  He said it's not just about socio-economic
status, but  "how they feel based on their environment. The
deterioration of the soul leads to drug abuse"

In the same way that people use alcohol to put their  problems behind
them, Kubo said, he feels Hawaiian have  turned to meth to avoid
dealing with the changing  environment of their 'aina, and the
resulting threats  to their culture.

But, added Kubo, the evening's presentations showed  that people are
coming together and finding common  ground.

"One person or one group cannot do it alone," Kubo  said, but when the
forces come together a lot can be  done.
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MAP posted-by: Derek