New coalition envisions
drug treatment reforms
A new coalition of individuals and organizations is looking at better ways to prevent and treat substance abuse.
"We should be able to find a way to treat people early on in addiction, especially people asking for treatment," said Darlene Hein, representing the group, Honolulu for Expanded Access to Resources and Treatment. "The idea that we can't give people treatment who want it, that we'd rather wait until they get in trouble with the law, seems a lot less cost-effective."
Hein said HEART began with a gathering before September's drug summit to look at how resources are allocated. The group includes service providers, homeless advocates, churches and community organizations.
The group is not in favor of drug testing for public school students.
"We don't believe drug testing is a great way to expend resources," Hein said. "It is fraught with a lot of problems. What we're really looking at is spending a lot more money on criminalization and less on prevention and treatment."
She said the coalition is trying to promote the philosophy that "we're not going to criminalize our way or punish our way or prison our way out of this problem."
Some criminals should be locked up for a long time, but others should be treated so they can take care of their families and be part of the community, Hein said.
"We're locking up people for parole violations" for urine tests that show drug use, she said. "Is locking them up going to make them better? It's a very expensive solution."
Hein said HEART members will meet before the next legislative session to work on proposals. They will advocate for "a hard look at how we're going to pay for treatment," she said.
Major reforms to lower sentences and increase treatment are going on in other states, she said. "We need to look at doing those kinds of things, to save money so it is available for treatment in the broadest sense, for job readiness, employment and housing."
For more information about HEART, call Hein at 384-7794.