Taking what he called “a leap forward” in efforts to develop drug-treatment options on Kaua‘i, Mayor Bryan Baptiste announced that an application for a land-use permit has been filed with officials at the county Planning Department Commission for an adolescent
Taking what he called “a leap forward” in efforts to develop drug-treatment options on Kaua‘i, Mayor Bryan Baptiste announced that an application for a land-use permit has been filed with officials at the county Planning Department Commission for an adolescent treatment facility at Hanapepe.
The facility has been proposed at the old Kauai Humane Society location near Salt Pond Beach Park. State officials turned over the land to county leaders by executive order at the end of 2003.
“Substance abuse knows no geographical boundaries,” said Baptiste. “It is the responsibility of the entire Kaua‘i community to help resolve the epidemic of drug abuse on the island.
“Substance abuse doesn’t care who you are or where you live. It affects people all over Kaua‘i,” Baptiste said. “We, as a community, need to recognize that, and be prepared to be part of the solution.”
The adolescent drug-treatment facility proposed for Hanapepe won’t be ready for occupancy until October, 2007, and plans are to make available 16 beds, eight for boys and eight for girls.
A residential treatment facility on Kaua‘i would enable youth to remain on their home island while receiving treatment, and not have to leave family during the process for treatment on another island, said Roy Nishida, county anti-drug coordinator.
“In many cases, family support is a vital component in the adolescent-treatment process,” said Nishida.
Based on a preliminary building schedule, Nishida estimates the facility would be constructed and ready for occupancy by October 2007. Pending approval by members of the County Council, three portable buildings behind the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihu‘e, formerly used by staff in the county Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, will be relocated and outfitted for use at the adolescent treatment facility.
Existing structures at the proposed location will also be renovated, said Nishida.
Other infrastructure improvements, such as the installation of a 12-inch water line, must be completed. In December, members of the county Board of Water Supply of the county Department of Water approved the installation of the water line at no additional cost to the project. The $1.2-million installation cost would have essentially killed the project for lack of funding, Baptiste said.
The project recently received additional support from members of the County Council, when their Community Assistance Committee last week approved $365,000 in funding for the facility. The bill goes to the full council for consideration and possible action this Thursday, March 10.
“We are addressing this issue from a unified stance,” Baptiste said. “It’s not one person’s job to make this happen. It’s not only the administration or the council’s responsibility to see this through,” the mayor said.
“This must be a community effort and a partnership among agencies.”
