Posted on: Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Group accuses Lingle of hurting drug fight

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

The fight against ice addiction and other substance abuse is at a standstill, and the situation has reached crisis levels, a group of treatment providers and concerned community members said yesterday during a meeting at Harris United Methodist Church.

The problem, they said, arises because Gov. Linda Lingle has not released money allocated to the battle.

"There is no reason that money can't be released," said Alan Johnson of Hina Mauka, a drug treatment center.

A spokesman for the governor last night said financing for the programs — about $14.7 million allocated by the Legislature — is under review.

Russell Pang, Lingle's chief of media relations, said the governor is being fiscally responsible.

"The administration is in the process of evaluating the programs because we want to ensure they can produce measurable results," he said.

The group at the church drafted a flier, which they intend to begin distributing tomorrow. It encourages citizens to contact Lingle and demand the release of the money.

About 15 people attended the meeting, many of whom worked on the Hawai'i Drug Control Strategy Summit, led last September by Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona.

They said that although the September summit attracted needed attention to the problems of substance abuse, and legislation was passed to enact many ideas that came from it, without money the effort was wasted.

A second meeting, open to the public, will be held Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. in the library of the Harris United Methodist Church.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.