It's disheartening to see how the fire has gone out of the war on ice.

The toll that crystal methamphetamine takes on society is more horrifying than ever. Nationwide statistics are staggering: A report released last week by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates that the number of meth users admitted to substance abuse clinics more than quadrupled from 1993 to 2003.

Hawai'i stands very nearly at the head of the pack. Only Oregon posted a higher treatment rate than ours.

Last week, there was more sobering news. Two more fatalities were added to the grim roster of lives lost to crystal meth in 2005; already a record number before the addition, the death tally now stands at 87.

This is a growing epidemic that must not be ignored. What has happened to the zealous "war on ice" that yielded a $14.7 million appropriation by state lawmakers two years ago?

Politics happened, that's what.

The entire battle became mired in the face-off between the Republican Lingle administration, which favored toughened criminal prosecution, and Democratic lawmakers, who pushed harder for treatment and prevention initiatives.

Amid the veto-override upheaval, momentum was lost. Funding to support programs trickled out.

In hindsight, the bickering seems so tragically pointless. Obviously, both approaches are needed.

Meanwhile, the drug ravages more families every day. And it's a scourge that strikes across the entire socioeconomic spectrum.

There are measures working their way through the Legislature, to be sure. And in Congress, the Patriot Act reauthorization contained a rider to restrict the sale of pseudo-ephedrine, the main ingredient in ice.

While it's encouraging to see the epidemic claim national attention, what this battle really needs is leadership here at home with the energy to lead the charge again.

Hawai'i needs to see some of that in elected leaders. But the war needs drug-fighters from the community level, too, people who grasp the problem and have the will to hunt for solutions.

Being idle is not an option — there's far too much at stake.