Gathering Place
Richard O. Rowland
‘Ice’ use is a decision,
not a curable diseaseI have been bothered for months by the escalating talk of an "ice epidemic" in Hawaii. Now we have the admission that government authorities have dreamed up a number (30,000) to attach to ice addicts in Honolulu. They now admit that they don't know the extent of the problem by number of addicts or users. What also concerns me is the talk about "treatment" of ice users, as if they are diseased instead of dumb or self-destructive or both.
"Ice" is an inert substance that is essentially harmless unless ingested. The user decides to take it into his body. As a general rule, persons of good character and strong moral fiber do not ingest ice.
Consequently, if we have an epidemic of ice users and abusers, it must be because we have an enormous pool of persons who lack good character and moral convictions. Thus, if we have an "epidemic" worse than anywhere else in the United States, what does that say about Hawaii's people? If you say it means that we have failed in our efforts to build an effective civil society, I say you get the point.
To say that we have an "ice epidemic" as if ice is the guilty party is a word game, and a dangerous one. It implies that we are somehow helpless and hopeless. Then, we are told that "addicts" need "treatment" -- also a dangerous word game. The solution is not mechanical, like giving them another drug to "cure" them. The true solution is to teach values and morals.
If we have an epidemic of users of ice, we must face up to the facts and take action. That action is to help make families and communities stronger, work on moral guidance for those who falter and assure consequences for poor judgments.
If we do indeed have an ice-user epidemic, please look to the old comic-strip character Pogo for the beginning of a solution: "We have met the enemy and he is us". Then we can drop enabling talk -- like "addiction," "treatment " and "She used ice" -- as excuses for any sub-standard performances.
Expect the worst or expect the best -- that is our human choice. We will reap our rewards or consequences from our thinking, talking, writing and acting.
Lies and loose talk from law enforcement and other government officials are destructive and part of the problem. Let's muzzle them and get started on really fixing things, at the source. That means you, brother and sister -- and me.
Richard O. Rowland is president of the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii.
