LIHUE — Hawaii’s youth are taking methamphetamine prevention into their own hands. The Hawaii Meth Project has several events planned statewide to coincide with the first national Meth Awareness Week from Nov. 30 through Dec. 7. The events are aimed
LIHUE — Hawaii’s youth are taking methamphetamine prevention into their own hands.
The Hawaii Meth Project has several events planned statewide to coincide with the first national Meth Awareness Week from Nov. 30 through Dec. 7. The events are aimed at discouraging first-time use of methamphetamine — which is considered a more serious drug today than cocaine and marijuana combined.
“The past few years have made it clear that crystal methamphetamine abuse, along with the growing prescription drug abuse epidemic, is the primary driver of property crime violence on this island,” said County Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar.
On Kauai, the big event will be Wednesday, when students from around the island will join volunteers and community at an anti-meth sign-waving rally from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Kapule Highway and Ahukini Road intersection fronting the entrance to Lihue Airport.
Erica Owan, a Kauai High School sophomore and member of the Hawaii Meth Project’s Teen Advisory Council, will educate peers about prevention and the risks of first-time meth use on Monday. An informational booth will be available at the school on Tuesday.
“My position has never wavered or changed over the past 20 plus years,” said Kauai Chief of Police Darryl Perry. “Law enforcement is not the answer to solving the crystal meth issue or any other drug abuse problem for that matter.
“We need a concerted effort from government leaders and the entire criminal justice system with much more focus on prevention: education, treatment, rehabilitation, with emphasis and support for after-care programs,” Perry added.
A 2011 Meth Project survey shows that Hawaii ranks second in the nation for meth use. The financial and social costs include devastated families and foster care, lost productivity, healthcare and treatment.
Addiction-fueled crimes often result in violence and arrests. The courts report that 90 percent of federal drug cases in Hawaii involve methamphetamine, along with 42 percent of state drug enforcement operations.
“Hawaii has seen firsthand the devastating effects that meth abuse has had and continues to have on our local community, which is why our goal is to bring highly effective peer-to-peer outreach to our youth — our future,” said Hawaii Meth Project Executive Director David Earles.
Nine percent of Hawaii teens and 18 percent of young adults report having close friends who use meth, according to the report. Nineteen percent of teens and 37 percent of young adults say it would not be difficult to acquire meth.
“We need to educate our youth on the terrible consequences of this drug, treat those who have become addicted, and punish those who prey on their neighbors and fellow community members by selling this poison to those who can’t or won’t control their sickness,” Kollar said. “We will all have to deal with the consequences should we fail in that mission.”
