EDITORIAL
Keep tuning in to the ice soap opera

If Hawai'i's recent response to the ice epidemic were a soap opera, the recap might go something like this:

"Days of Our Ice": Gov. Linda Lingle, along with her trusty lieutenant, Duke Aiona, pledge to lead the charge against crystal methamphetamine, which is destroying the social fabric of Hawai'i.

But when lawmakers come up with legislation to address the multitude of problems associated with ice trafficking and addiction, at a cost of $21 million, Lingle says that's too expensive and pushes for tougher law-enforcement procedures.

Undaunted, lawmakers forge ahead with bills that would allocate at least $19 million to expand treatment and prevention and toughen penalties against ice dealers and manufacturers.

Not wanting to alienate the business community, the Legislature wisely removes a provision that would require employers to provide three months of medical insurance for any employee fired for a drug-related offense. However, many businesses would still have to provide one hour of drug prevention education a year or face fines.

The bills advance in the Legislature over the objections of some Republicans who want mandatory minimum sentences for possession of drugs, and broader police powers.

Coming: Will these ice bills survive the legislative meat grinder? And if so, will Lingle sign off on them?

OK, so "Days of Our Ice" is not as sexy as "One Life to Live." But there are human tragedies behind the ice epidemic that many soap writers couldn't begin to imagine.

Let's not forget about the many adults and children who are suffering as we haggle over the price of easing this long-festering public health and criminal justice crisis. Tune in again.