Ice film got discussions going
By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Staff Writer
On the radio, in the workplace and in classrooms across Hawai'i yesterday, people were talking about the Edgy Lee film "Ice: Hawai'i's Crystal Meth Epidemic."
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
A day after the documentary aired in an unprecedented simultaneous broadcast over 11 television stations across the state, its frank look at the ice problem had clearly struck a nerve.
Maryknoll School junior Karen Lee and her classmates reminded the public of the dangers of drugs in the community yesterday. The students' sign waving on Punahou Street was greeted with waves and honking by passing drivers.
The Aloha United Way 211 referral number received numerous calls. In just the first hour following the program, the line received some 44 calls throughout the Islands for substance-abuse treatment information and 22 calls to volunteer in some drug-related organizations, said Amanda Jones, assistant vice president at Aloha United Way.
Lee said nearly 50 parents and teachers called to request copies of the documentary.
A nonprofit foundation pledged a minimum of $10,000 to Lee's efforts, which she said would be used in part to pay for a copy of the documentary for every school's library.
Some of the most frank discussions yesterday took place at schools.
Julie Masuda, a retired Navy master chief who teaches junior ROTC at Radford High School, was surprised to learn that her students knew all about ice.
"One young lady said she tried to commit suicide a couple of times because her family does it and she feels there's no hope for her," Masuda said.
One boy said he was part of a gang on Guam where he used it, dealt it, made it and gave it to his sister, she said.
"I'm telling you I'm having a hard time not choking up," Masuda said.
"It's extremely difficult to see 14- and 15-year-old children having to deal with it."
Masuda had watched the program to try to understand the problem better. Her daughter's boyfriend recently returned from college for two weeks to deal with his father's ice addiction.
She was compelled to discuss the film in classes yesterday, and "it was amazing to see how many of the kids wanted to talk," she said.
The flood of conversation showed how much children wanted and needed to talk to an adult about the issue, she said. Children talked about using ice and about the adults in their lives using it.
At the Hina Mauka drug treatment center in Kane'ohe, the staff saw the film as positive and factual, said Andy Anderson, CEO of the facility.
Three people who were not scheduled to come in came in yesterday to discuss treatment, and Anderson said the wife of one of them had seen the film and thought it was excellent.
But with all the talk and positive feedback, he said the film was just the beginning.
"I think we need to follow up with a message of hope," Anderson said, adding that people need to know that there are treatment centers of all types to help drug users.
Lee said she also fielded calls from eight radio stations and others yesterday beginning at 7 a.m., with some wanting a copy of the film and others just wanting to comment on it.
Lee is still seeking contributions for this and a second film she will make on the subject. The next film will feature youths from elementary school to college age.
Lee said her goal was to get people discussing the issue and from what she heard yesterday they are doing that.
"If there's discussion then there's got to be action," she said. "I just hope it lasts."
Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.
