This week’s questions concern speed restrictions at construction sites and illicit drugs. Let’s start with the traffic question: Q: When highway or shoulder work of a long-term nature is going on, signs are posted limiting the speed limit to 25
This week’s questions concern speed restrictions at construction sites and illicit drugs. Let’s start with the traffic question:
Q: When highway or shoulder work of a long-term nature is going on, signs are posted limiting the speed limit to 25 mph within the construction zone. Does this restriction apply only during working hours or at all times for the duration of the work?
Currently, there is guard wall work being done on Kuamo‘o Road just makai of the Opaeka‘a Falls lookout and, when no one’s working, many drivers seem to ignore the posted speed limit. When I ride my bicycle up that hill, it can get pretty scary due to narrow lanes and safety barriers!
• Ann
Wailua Homesteads
A: Ann, thank you for that question. This falls under Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Statewide Traffic Code 291C-104, which basically states that the speed limit at construction sites are modified for safety reasons and shall be in effect until the work is completed. Speed signs are posted indicating the safe and prudent speed to drive. The traffic code also states that any person who violates this section shall be fined $250. Remember that the code says “shall be fined,” not “may” or “could” be fined.
My recommendation to all drivers is to slow down and drive safely for the sake of bicyclists, construction workers and your pocketbook.
Q: What are you doing about the drug problem on the Westside?
• Maurice
Waimea
A: Tough question, Maurice. What are we doing? I can only say that we are conducting investigations throughout the island.
I know that’s not the answer you were hoping for, but similar to a poker game, I don’t want to show my hand to local drug traffickers who really don’t care who they hurt.
But while we’re on the subject, perhaps we can ask how we stop the use of illegal drugs.
The not-so-simple answer is to reduce demand, because as long as there is a market for illicit drugs, there will be suppliers. Greed is a terrible thing, and like I said earlier, these individuals don’t care who they hurt.
Take for example the October drug bust here on Kaua‘i, which resulted in the arrest of Edward Cachola and his cohorts in crime. More recently on O‘ahu, Joe Daniels, a local musician of the popular hip-hop band B.E.T., was also busted for trafficking 50 pounds of methamphetamine. You would be naïve to think that amount of crystal meth would remain only on O‘ahu. You can bet your bottom dollar that some of it was headed toward our shores.
That amount of ice indicates that there is still a huge demand. Law enforcement nationwide is working as hard as it can to reduce the supply, but this is only part of the equation. We need a multi-dimensional approach to be successful.
Currently there are three generally categories to address the demand side:
• The criminal justice system.
• Education and prevention.
• Treatment and rehabilitation.
The police arrest the drug offender, our courts adjudicate, and our corrections system incarcerates. Within our court and correction systems, programs allow for the offender to be educated, treated and, hopefully, this will lead to rehabilitation and a seamless transition back to becoming a productive member of society.
Education and preventive programs are implemented through community efforts and are emphasized within our educational system with programs like DARE (drug prevention) and GREAT (gang prevention).
Drug treatment and rehabilitation centers throughout the state continue to make progress, yet financial woes makes it very difficult to offer the highest level of service that’s needed, nor are they able to sustain effective and essential after-care programs. Without financial and community support, it’s like going into a fight with one hand tied behind your back and expecting to come out a winner.
From a law enforcement perspective, we must continue to move forward to reduce the illegal drug supply by arresting and disrupting drug trafficking organizations. But I am also a strong proponent of treatment and rehabilitation to reduce demand because we cannot continue in the vicious circle of arrest and incarceration.
I am by no means a bleeding heart, but I believe some individuals are predisposed physically and mentally to addiction that may be beyond their control. These individuals should be allowed to prove their worth through viable programs with a track record of success.
The Garden Island contributor Annaleha Atkinson in her Feb. 24 “In Your Corner” column entitled, “The courage to speak up can help addiction,” eloquently spoke about the horrors of addiction and mentioned ways in which to seek help.
However, there is one exception: drug traffickers. In my opinion, this is one of the most despicable human beings alive. I would rank them alongside rapists and murderers because they continue to poison and kill our children, and ruin and destroy families just for the sake of a buck. I would not give a second thought about locking them up for 30 years or more.
So how do we stop illegal drugs? With community and financial support to reduce demand through treatment and rehabilitation, and the continue efforts of law enforcement to stop the supply from arriving at our shores and poisoning our ‘ohana and destroying our unique culture.
• Darryl Perry is the chief of police at the Kauai Police Department. Send your comments or questions to dperry@kauai.gov
