The public has an opportunity tonight to discuss the county’s plans for an adolescent drug treatment center on Kaua‘i. The meeting — which starts at 6 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center — is one of the highlights for February
The public has an opportunity tonight to discuss the county’s plans for an adolescent drug treatment center on Kaua‘i.
The meeting — which starts at 6 p.m. at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center — is one of the highlights for February being announced as Drug-Free Hawai‘i Awareness Month.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. encourages residents to get personally involved in the effort at building an adolescent drug treatment facility.
“After a long search and consideration of many factors, we have narrowed the location of the adolescent drug treatment center down to two proposed sites in central Kaua‘i,” said Anti-Drug Coordinator Theresa Koki in a county release. “We invite the community to come to the meeting Thursday and be a part of this important discussion.”
Carvalho said during a recent series of meetings the community has expressed an interest in the need for keeping Kaua‘i’s youth at home for treatment.
“A recent series of meetings focusing on the critical need to provide these services for our youth has made us hopeful that the so-called ‘NIMBY’ issues are behind us and that our community is ready to move forward on behalf of our kids,” Carvalho said.
The county’s plan for a treatment center in Hanapepe was abandoned in 2007.
Several other drug-awareness events are scheduled this month. On Saturday, the Eastside Family Summit will open its doors from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Kapa‘a High School Courtyard.
During the same weekend, the Waimea Alumni and Friends Foundation hosts its annual carnival on Friday and Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. each night.
On Feb. 22, the Mo‘ikeha Conference Room 1 will be the site for Family and Community Asset Building for Self Sufficiency from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Koki said also scheduled during the month is the blessing of the Mobile Office Unites and Vans for In/After School Programs in partnership with the state Dept. of Education, and the launching of the “We Care” coalition with Carvalho and William Arakaki, Kaua‘i Area Complex Superintendent.
For more information, or to request additional support, or an auxiliary aid for the meeting, call 241-4925.
