Pubdate: Wed, 25 Apr 2007
Source: Garden Island (Lihue, HI)
Copyright: 2007 Kauai Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://kauaiworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/964
Author: Amanda C. Gregg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

EFFORTS OUTLINED IN WAR ON DRUGS

Keeping children and residents away from the industry that cultivated
roughly $8 million-worth of marijuana on-island and thousands of grams
of hard drugs is their chief task.

And outlining how it plans to continue to face that challenge head-on,
leaders of the Community Drug Response Plan explained their plans to
quash drug use in a presentation to 140 residents this week, a goal
for which they've created an individualized approach for each region
of the island.

According to Sgt. Mike Contrades, spokesman for the group's
enforcement committee, the Kaua'i Police Department seized 7,671
marijuana plants in 2006.

Had the plants been allowed to fully mature, their potential street
value would have been $7,671,000.

Also seized this past year were 3,015.3 grams or 6.6 pounds of
processed marijuana, 383.8 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 5,700.2
grams or 12.5 pounds of cocaine, 92 prescription pills, and 1,084
milliliters of steroids.

Those involved include prevention, treatment, integration and
enforcement committees.

"We believe this was due to several factors -- strong enforcement
efforts by federal, state and local law enforcement, harsher
penalties, and stricter regulations on cold medicine products that
provide the basic ingredients for manufacturing methamphetamine,"
Contrades said in a press release.

Bridget Arume, speaking on behalf of the prevention coalition,
explained how the CDRP comprehensive goals have been modified
throughout the county.

For west Kaua'i, tobacco, alcohol prevention and anti-drug efforts are
underway, while progress made so far has included parent project
classes, new parent classes, drug-free radio advertising, family
outings sponsored by Nana's House, YWCA's Girlz Zone camps, 'Ohana
Night activities at the Boys and Girls Waimea clubhouse, Waele A Ola
Hou -- Kaua'i's version of Weed and Seed -- and a drug perception survey.

Interfaith and interracial activities for youths is one mission, while
identifying with the community as a family has been a theme in an
effort to reduce alcohol and drug use by residents of all ages.

Region-specific efforts for the Lihu'e/Kapa'a area have included a
parent and child fair -- that drew more than 700 participants -- and
programs such as Motheread/Fatheread, Loving Solutions, and the
Choosing Success/Choosing Life Program.

The East Kaua'i Prevention Coalition will continue in its stride
against drug use by zeroing-in on the homebase to garner support for
the front lines, using the idea that a strong family is key to
combating peer pressure.

Highlights of east Kaua'i's anti-drug efforts include the annual
family summit, which drew more than 3,200 people, tutoring
low-achieving elementary school students, the Aloha Peace Project, a
methamphetamine awareness workshop -- that had more than 100
participants -- and the Mentor 'Ohana, Tutu and Me and Loving Solutions
programs.

Rebekah Reid, spokeswoman, said in a press release that the
committee's primary goal for the second year of its drug-response plan
was on-island treatment facilities and communication.

Other goals included gathering financial assistance, education,
expanding treatment services within Kaua'i Community Correctional
Center and providing detoxification services within a continuum of
care.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake