Hilo forum joins outcry against ice

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau

HILO, Hawai'i — Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona heard emotional testimony last night about the impact of crystal methamphetamine on the Big Island and listened to pleas for money and services to fight the ice problem.

Melissa Moniz, who has worked as a juvenile probation officer for 12 years, said she has seen her caseload evolve beyond truancy and into robbery, burglary and other felonies.

"I get 10- and 12-year-olds prostituting for ice. That's reality," she told Aiona. "I need help. I can only do so much to save our babies."

Moniz, who said she was speaking only as an individual and not for the judiciary, said she has no option but to lock up youngsters in the Hawai'i Youth Correctional Facility on O'ahu because there are no appropriate Big Island programs to get them off ice.

About 200 people turned out for the forum at Hilo High School, one of 27 community meetings planned to discuss the ice problem and other issues.

Aiona outlined a preliminary strategy and offered a few specifics about what Gov. Linda Lingle intends to do.

The plan, which will take its final form during a drug summit Sept. 15-17, would include an anti-drug media campaign and distribution of prevention brochures and videos to schools where youngsters are deemed "high-risk". The strategy also would include a proposal for a charter school designed for at-risk youngsters.

The strategy also proposes better treatment options for children and adults, including convicted felons, and better coordination of services. Aiona cited a "tremendous need" for secure treatment programs and transition programs to help prisoners ease back into the community.

Michael Spain, program coordinator of school-based services for the Big Island Substance Abuse Council, suggested that students in high schools be required to take at least a half-credit in instruction in prevention of substance abuse.

Deputy Prosecutor Mitchell Roth, who said his work involves large numbers of Big Island drug cases, warned that police are struggling to keep up with the spread of drug houses around the island.

"We need more lab equipment," he said. "We need more officers."

A number of people in the audience were openly critical of enforcement focused on marijuana. Greg Smith of Pahoa drew loud applause when he remarked that "we don't have a marijuana problem — we have an ice problem."

Others disagreed, with one man calling marijuana a "stepping-stone" on the way to harder drugs.