LIHU‘E — Designed to serve as a guide for agencies who work with youth and adults, especially those struggling with substance abuse, the Kaua‘i Community Drug Response Plan was recently updated and is now available on the county’s Web site
LIHU‘E — Designed to serve as a guide for agencies who work with youth and adults, especially those struggling with substance abuse, the Kaua‘i Community Drug Response Plan was recently updated and is now available on the county’s Web site at www.kauai.gov/antidrug.
“I encourage everyone that provides services to our children, youth and adults to take a look at the latest Drug Response Plan. The plan builds upon past accomplishments and focuses on the unique challenges faced in the different regions of our island — west, central and east,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr in a news release. “I believe we must remain vigilant and continue to collaborate our efforts to combat substance abuse.”
Carvalho said one of his priorities is to find a location for an adolescent residential drug treatment facility on Kaua‘i.
“We need to keep our families together so they can solve their problems together,” he said. “If our families are strong, our communities will be strong.”
Expressing his appreciation for the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Carvalho said, “I am grateful for all that Mayor Baptiste has done to help solve our drug problem. He brought people together from across the island, formed committees and launched the war against substance abuse on Kaua‘i.”
Based on input from those who answered the call, the first Kaua‘i Community Drug Response Plan was developed and written by the Kaua‘i Planning and Action Alliance.
The plan was adopted in 2004 by Baptiste and the County Council.
“Over the years, businesses, government and the community have formed a strong partnership and are working together to accomplish the goals of the drug response plan in order to break the cycle of meth and other drugs that plague our community,” said county anti-drug coordinator Theresa Koki. “We are actively focused on drug prevention, treatment, community integration and enforcement, and are striving to heal our island and offer people hope.”
At a recent methamphetamine symposium held on O‘ahu, James Copple, a senior policy analyst for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, commended Koki on the county’s updated drug response plan.
“This is by far the best, most sophisticated strategic drug plan that I have ever read … and I have read hundreds,” he said.
For more information, contact Koki at tkoki@kauai.gov or 241-4925.
