Welcome to our first Drug Action Team news column, Beyond the Influence. Like a growing number of other communities, our beautiful island is not immune from the drug problem. By writing this column, the DAT expects to educate our community
Welcome to our first Drug Action Team news column, Beyond the Influence.
Like a growing number of other communities, our beautiful island is not immune from the drug problem.
By writing this column, the DAT expects to educate our community on substance abuse and addiction and restore hope to individuals and families. And at the same time, heighten awareness on the goals, activities and outcomes of the Kaua‘i Community Drug Response Plan.
In 2003, the late Mayor Bryan Baptiste formed four teams to investigate the elements of the drug problem: drug prevention, enforcement, treatment and integration. DAT is composed of representatives from each of these four interconnected components of the drug problem.
Drug prevention involves the promotion of positive youth development and the development of positive social environments at home, at school and in the community that facilitate drug-free lifestyles. The Prevention Committee co-chairs are Kaui Castillo of Queen Lilioukalani Childrens Center and Bridgette Arume of the Department of Education.
Drug treatment refers to a broad range of services, including identification, intervention, assessment, diagnosis, counseling, medical services, psychiatric services, psychological services, social services and follow-up for persons with substance abuse problems. This committee is co-chaired by Mardi Maione, CSAC of Child and Family Service, and Rebekah Reid, CSAC of Ke Ala Hoku.
The Community Integration Committee is chaired by Bradley Chiba of the state Department of Public Safety’s Kaua’i Intake Service Center. Integration refers to the positive integration of individuals into the community after treatment, committing a drug related offense or incarceration. Successful integration includes job training and placement, housing, transportation, medical assistance, mental health assistance, family counseling and support services, parenting, individual and group counseling and recovery groups.
Enforcement refers to the law enforcement system of county, state and federal governments. The overall goal of drug enforcement is to reduce the use and distribution of drugs to ensure a healthy and safe island.
Another goal of enforcement is to ensure that individuals who commit crimes receive appropriate treatment and punishment for their actions. The Law Enforcement Task Force is co-chaired by Alton Amimoto of Drug Court and Lt. Eric Shibuya of the Kaua’i Police Department.
All DAT members are volunteers. Together with their teams, they have dedicated countless hours to save and rebuild lives for the people of Kaua’i. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment to continue to fight the battle of substance abuse and addiction.
I would also like to acknowledge The Garden Island newspaper for allowing us to host this column. This is an introduction to our monthly news. Next month, you will hear from Amimoto.
• Theresa Koki, county anti-drug coordinator, works out of the Mayor’s Office. She can be contacted at 241-4925 or tkoki@kauai.gov
