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Prison should include drug treatment center

Hawaii urgently needs a sufficiently large drug treatment and rehabilitation center to accommodate all of our substance abusers.

Those who need treatment should be able to get help as early as possible, long before they become criminals and are sent to prison.

I appealed to Senator Inouye to submit a bill to establish a system of national drug treatment and rehabilitation centers with the first one in Hawaii to serve as a model for the others. He responded favorably, so I also wrote Governor Cayetano and asked him to work with Senator Inouye to request federal funds and propose that Hawaii become the first such center to make this a reality.

I now propose that Governor Cayetano and the Legislature quickly debate this issue with a view toward building a prison at the airport on the Big Island on land where the National Guard is now situated. Additionally, this plan should provide for a model drug treatment center there.

Our 30,000 to 40,000 ice addicts are mute testimony that putting substance abusers in prison isn't the solution. Other states are learning that drug courts combined with adequate treatment facilities is the best answer.

Ed Cesar
Kahaluu

Gas prices go up faster than they come down

On the day before you ran your Feb. 4 article on how Hawaii's gasoline prices have come down 4 percent in the past year, I watched a service station manager on a ladder change the price of regular gas from $1.39 per gallon to $1.47 per gallon.

That's almost a 6 percent increase in about a minute...Thank you, very much!

Bud Henry
Kaneohe

Water fluoridation has been proven to be safe

We support water fluoridation because it is effective, safe and reduces health-care costs.

In the U.S., 145 million people or about 65 percent of the total population receive fluoridated drinking water. Worldwide, over 360 million people in 60 countries have fluoridation.

Fluoridated water can reduce tooth decay in children by 60-65 percent; adults of all ages benefit because it helps prevent cavities on the roots of teeth.

Fifty years of scientific research and use in the U.S. has shown that fluoridation is safe. The American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the U.S. Public Health Service, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the American Cancer Society and many other reputable scientific and medical organizations endorse fluoridation.

Fluoridation is not new to Hawaii. The Libby Co. fluoridated the water in Maunaloa, Molokai, from 1961-72 and the tooth decay rate in children dropped 60 percent.

Since the mid-1950s, the water on Hawaii's military bases has been fluoridated and, therefore, affects 13 percent of our population already. Health Department data show that children on Hawaii's military bases have tooth decay rates less than half that of off-base rates.

Fluoridation will improve the health of all residents and reduce public funding for health care.

Art Tani,
Chairman
Stanwood Kanna, D.D.S.,
Vice Chairman
Kauai Dental Health Task Force
Lihue, Kauai

Quotables "If we can't get assistance from the state, there's no chance the show is coming back. 'Baywatch' will be out of business for good, forever." Greg Bonann EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, "BAYWATCH HAWAII" Explaining why he asked the state Legislature for $2.5 million to supplement the show's budget and keep the hour-long, lifeguard drama on the air "Every day, a greater number of groups are willing to step forward and say, 'Let's try to get guns out of Hawaii.' " Rep. Ed Case HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER Describing increasing support for stricter guns laws from police, social groups and health professionals

Endemic plants thrive with nurturing

I was happy to see Gary Kubota's Feb. 2 article on native plant grower and Maui resident Anna Palomino. She and other pioneer propagators should be credited for: 1) making native plants accessible to all for use in our yards, commercial landscapes and public places, 2) educating us to appreciate native plants and 3) preserving endangered and dwindling native plant populations.

Many of our native plants are unique; about 90 percent are endemic (natural only to Hawaii). Especially adapted, through years of isolated evolution, they represent an important heritage that we can learn from and enjoy.

While the goal of government seems to focus on restoring plant species in their "natural" habitat, these habitats seldom exist except when protected through extreme measures such as fencing (to exclude ungulates) and weeding (to control introduced plant species).

Accordingly, the most effective and efficient means of preserving native plants is to cultivate them in our urban landscape.

As a native plant enthusiast myself, I can testify that there are numerous regulatory and practical obstacles to propagating native plants. In spite of this, Anna and others, out of their love and appreciation for native plants, persevere.

It is due to their efforts that our native plants will live on to be enjoyed and appreciated by all of us. To Anna, I say: You grow, girl!

Ardis L. Shaw

What are the limits for carrying guns?

The most intelligent part of Craig Watanabe's Feb. 5 letter about strict gun laws is the word, "Duh." Perhaps he advocates keeping a loaded gun in hand at all times -- at work, church, school and at home while watching TV.

But does he advocate pointing a loaded gun at everyone we approach, just in case? How many guns will it take to arm everyone at Makai Market, football games and every parade? Think of the highways, with high-speed drivers holding cellular phones in one hand and a gun at the ready in the other.

Just another day in paradise.

Roger D. Van Cleve

Plague stories brought history to life

I want to thank you for the excellent series on the plague and the Great Chinatown fire (Jan. 24, 25, 31 and Feb. 1).

I was amazed by what I read. I work at Kalihi-Palama Health Center, which began in Kaumakapili Church and is now located just down the street. I had not been aware of the church's part in this historical event, and just reading about it brought tears to my eyes.

Doris S. Matsunaga

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