Mililani ice problem
concerns policeA forum tomorrow will discuss
solutions with the community
Wahiawa police Sgt. Fay Tamura says crystal methamphetamine, or ice, has invaded Mililani.
"That's the No. 1 reason for property crime," Tamura said, noting ice users steal to support their drug habit. "It affects you one way or another."
Ice users range from middle-school kids to middle-age professionals, she said.
Tamura is one of four panelists who will speak on the ice problem at a forum at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Mililani High School cafeteria. Other panelists include a former drug user, a Mililani High School drug counselor and a member of the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii.
The widespread problem of ice and the success of a program in Kahaluu prompted Councilmen Nestor Garcia (Waikele-Mililani Town) and Donovan Dela Cruz (Mililani Mauka-Heeia) and Rep. Marilyn Lee (D, Mililani, Waipio) to initiate a similar effort in Central Oahu.
"It's clear that we can't rely solely on law enforcement and social service agencies to wage this war," Garcia said. "It's frustrating trying to convince people we do have a problem." Mililani residents are invited to meet with law enforcement, federal and city prosecutors, drug counselors and lawmakers to discuss the problem.
Panelists will each make a five-minute presentation, and the forum will be opened up for discussion. Experts will be on hand to answer questions.
"We hope to move from 'What is everyone else going to do,' to 'What can we do about it as a community,'" said Greg Tjapkes, corporate development officer for Hina Mauka, a drug treatment program. "Hawaii is the No. 1 ice state in the nation ... and we're the No. 2 property crime state."
Hina Mauka counselors help students at Mililani High School, nine other high schools and two middle schools. Of the Central Oahu students admitted to Hina Mauka, two-thirds listed ice as a primary or secondary drug of choice.
Many teens pick up the ice habit at home, where parents are users, Tjapkes said.
An anonymous poll of 250 students in its teen program taken within the past year by Hina Mauka revealed one-third are beginning ice users. Of the 1,500 treated by Hina Mauka, 45 percent say ice is their No. 1 addiction.
Garcia is hoping the community will get behind the effort as it has in Kahaluu.
"We're really pleased that other communities have also addressed the problem," said Kahaluu Neighborhood Board member John Reppun. "This community (Kahaluu) finally decided to face up to a glaring problem and come out of denial and start to address this."
Discussions progress to where community members talk about what they observe and what kind of activities are occurring as a result of drug use.
In Kahaluu, town meetings have brought together social service agencies, sports coaches, police, the city parks officials and churches.
"We see a lot of strength develop with neighborhoods and families talking with one another, finding they're not alone in the issue," he said.
Sign-waving to publicize the event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today on Meheula Parkway in front of Mililani High School.