Proposal to spend $21M 'throwing money' at issue

By Lynda Arakawa and Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writers

The task force impaneled to study the crystal meth-amphetamine crisis said Monday that the state should spend $21.6 million on efforts that include expanding drug-abuse prevention and treatment.

The panel, created by the Legislature's Democratic leaders, also recommended initiatives such as tougher prison sentences for those who sell and manufacture ice.

Lingle said she was pleased that leaders are focusing on the ice problem.

"My second reaction was we can't simply throw money at a problem and think it's going to be solved, and their report I'd hoped was going to be more balanced," Lingle said.

The governor likened the recommendation to the way the state dealt with the federal Felix consent decree mandating improved services for special-needs students, saying "a billion dollars later, we don't make progress."

Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), a co-chair of the task force, said part of the proposal called for accountability in spending money to combat ice and clear standards to measure success.

"If I have learned anything from Felix ... we have to recognize the problem and we've got to do something about it," said Hanabusa, who helped lead an investigative task force on state spending for Felix matters. "You can't run away from it, or you will have a Felix."

Rep. Eric Hamakawa, D-3rd (Hilo, Kea'au, Mountain View), another co-chair of the task force, said the report reflected months of testimony from the community calling for policy-makers to treat the ice problem as a public health crisis.

He compared the $21.6 million in proposed spending with the "hundreds of millions of dollars" directed toward prisons and social programs, and money lost to crime.

"We see this as a very prudent investment that's going to help stem the problem down the road," he said.

Lingle said she had hoped the task force recommendations would include the law enforcement initiatives supported by the administration.

The task force did not endorse an easing of wiretap restrictions, saying the issue required more information and review.

It also opposed a state constitutional amendment to allow local police officers to conduct "walk and talk" programs at airports, to question and sometimes search passengers considered suspicious.

The task force said federal agents already have the ability to conduct "walk and talks" at the airports, which are under federal jurisdiction, and that ice is smuggled into the state largely through ports.

"It's simply not fair to expect law enforcement to be an important part of dealing with this issue, and then not give them the tools that they need," Lingle said. "I think we've built in the safeguards for civil rights issues that may be raised and other concerns that people have."

She added, however: "I expect that during the session we're going to make a lot of progress at getting a balanced approach to that issue."

Hanabusa noted that "the people want to see us working in a collaborative manner. This is not who takes credit, or anything like that. This is what is in the best interests of the people of the state."

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.