Drug hot line now statewide
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
Neighbor Island residents who suspect drug activity in their neighborhoods can now call a hot line to report drug houses to the state attorney general's office.
The hot line is part of the attorney general's new drug nuisance abatement unit, which was created this year under House Bill 297 in the effort to fight drugs in the state. A hot line for O'ahu residents has been operating since early last month.
The new law established a team in the attorney general's office to work with police in using the existing drug nuisance abatement law to help communities get rid of drug manufacturers and dealers.
"I am glad that the attorney general is working with us to stop drug use in our communities," said House Majority Leader Scott Saiki, D-22nd (McCully, Pawa'a). "I expect that this new program will allow people who feared reprisal from drug dealers to more freely report criminal behavior in their neighborhoods."
The nuisance abatement unit — made up of two full-time investigators and two part-time attorneys — could seek civil court injunctions ordering drug offenders to stay away from a property.
The court can also order owners to put a stop to drug dealing on their properties. If injunctions are ignored, the court could find the owners or tenants in contempt of court, which could involve fines or jail.
The state nuisance abatement law, which was expanded in 1990 to include drug offenses, is sometimes seen as more effective than criminal proceedings because it requires a lesser burden of proof. Under the law, neighbors and landlords — not just authorities — can seek a civil court order to abate the "nuisance."
The law created this year provides the attorney general's office with $100,000 this year and next to help with startup costs for the nuisance abatement unit. The attorney general's office may also tap the criminal forfeiture fund.
The hot line numbers are 586-1328 on O'ahu, and (800) 9NO-METH or (800) 966-6384 for the Neighbor Islands. The fax line is 586-1371. E-mails can be sent to: stopice@hawaii.gov.
Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.
