Aiona plans drug-control summit
By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
A statewide summit to look at possible solutions to the growing epidemic of crystal methamphetamine and other drug problems will be held Sept. 17 and 18, Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona said yesterday.
The goal of the conference, titled the "Hawai'i Drug Control Strategy: A New Beginning," is to come up with a package of bills that can be forwarded to the Legislature before it convenes in January.
AIONA
Aiona, a former Drug Court judge who has taken the lead on drug-related initiatives for the Lingle administration, said as many as 500 people from the law enforcement community, social service agencies and other stakeholders will be invited.
A steering committee headed by U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo, Deputy Attorney General Rick Bissen, Human Services Director Lillian Koller and others is to come up with an invitation list and an outline for discussion by July 3.
"It's basically intended to provide a starting point to engage professionals and community representatives, and to recommend the types of guidelines, strategies and actions that over time we believe can help provide a comprehensive, integrated and seamless approach to treating, preventing and disrupting ... illicit drugs," Aiona said.
"Ultimately, what we want to have come out of this drug summit is what I describe as a working document for our community in addressing, and hopefully in mitigating some of the use and distribution of drugs."
Kubo said he was intending to hold his own conference but instead will be a key participant in Aiona's summit.
Aiona also announced that, in conjunction with the summit, there will be a series of "talk story" forums statewide that will solicit ideas from the community.
Earlier this week, state Democratic lawmakers announced the formation of a Senate-House task force that also will hold meetings statewide to seek input on potential legislation.
Aiona said he doesn't believe his efforts would duplicate the Legislature's task force meetings and that he intends to work cooperatively with lawmakers.
