CRYSTAL METH, ICE, SPEED, CRANK.

METHAMPHETAMINE HAS MANY STREET NAMES.

THE ILLEGAL DRUG IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND AFFECTS PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

NUMBERS INDICATE A CONTINUAL RISE IN METH USE IN HAWAII AND THE STATE CONSISTENTLY RANKS AMONG THE HIGHEST IN METH ABUSE IN THE NATION, WITH THOUSANDS NEEDING TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION.

SO WHAT CAN BE DONE IN THIS FIGHT AGAINST METH?

TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI’I START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

IT’S BEEN CALLED THE FORGOTTEN KILLER.

CRYSTAL METH HAS BEEN OVERSHADOWED IN RECENT YEARS AS OTHER HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUGS LIKE OPIOIDS CAPTURED HEADLINES, BUT METH IS STILL THE ILLICIT DRUG OF CHOICE IN HAWAII.

ACCORDING TO THE HONOLULU MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE, DRUG RELATED DEATHS IN HONOLULU HIT A 5 YEAR HIGH LAST YEAR.

OF THE 197 DEATHS IN 2020, METHAMPHETAMINE WAS THE CAUSE OF 148 OF THEM.

WITH HOSPITALIZATIONS AND OVERDOSES ON A CONTINUAL RISE, CAN WE STOP THIS POISONING OF PARADISE?

THAT’S WHAT WE’RE ASKING OUR PANEL TONIGHT.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS.

AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

MATTHEW VIOLA WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED SENIOR FAMILY COURT JUDGE AFTER SERVING AS PRESIDING JUDGE OF DRUG COURT, VETERANS TREATMENT COURT, MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND THE HOPE PROBATION PROGRAM.

PRIOR TO BECOMING A FIRST CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE, HE WAS A DISTRICT FAMILY COURT JUDGE.

MAJOR PHILIP JOHNSON IS THE COMMANDER OF THE NARCOTICS – VICE DIVISION FOR THE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HE’S BEEN IN THE DIVISION FOR TEN YEARS AND AS A LIEUTENANT WITH HPD, LED A MULTI AGENCY ANTI DRUG TASK FORCE.

HE HOLDS A MASTER’S DEGREE FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY.

HANNAH PRESTON PITA IS A LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND IS THE CEO OF THE BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL.

THE ORGANIZATION WAS STARTED IN 1964 OFFERING ALCOHOLISM COUNCELING AND A SMALL HALFWAY HOUSE.

IT’S SINCE EXPANDED TO AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND EDWARD MERSEREAU IS THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE DIVISION.

HE’S A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AND A HAWAI’I STATE CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELOR.

HE EARNED HIS MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR PARTICIPATION.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU, MAJOR JOHNSON.

TELL US HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IS THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW?

>> HUGE ISSUE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS.

ENTERPRISE OF METH KEEPS MY PERSONNEL BUSY JUST WITH INVESTIGATIONS IN ADDITION AND WHOLE ENTERPRISE OF IT.

AND I'M SURE OTHER PANEL MEMBERS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO ALL THE EFFECT OF IT.

FROM THE USER, ALL THE WAY UP TO THE TRAFFICKER THAT WE TARGET.

>>Yunji: TALK ABOUT WHAT THIS DRUG ACTUALLY DOES TO YOU AND HOW ADDICTIVE IT IS.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A ADDICTED AND WHAT IS IT ACTUALLY DOING TO YOU PHYSICALLY.

>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH.

FIRST TIME THEY USE, GET ADDICTED.

IT REALLY HITS THE DOPAMINE.

RECEPTORS IN YOUR BRAIN THAT FEEL GOOD RECEPTORS.

>> GET THAT HIGH, TEND TO LIKE IT, USE MORE AND THEN IT BECOMES ADDICTION.

>>Yunji: WHAT ABOUT IT, WHAT IS APPEALING ABOUT IT?

>> I THINKS JUST WHAT HAPPENS, THE EFFECTS OF IT.

SO THE BEHAVIORS THAT HAPPEN, SO THINGS LIKE COULD BE WEIGHT LOSS.

I HEAR FOR FEMALES A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WEIGHT LOSS.

SOME OF THEM WILL START USING IT.

>> MOTHERS TO STAY AWAKE.

ENERGY INVOLVED.

JOBS THAT REQUIRE THEM TO BE ON, OFTEN.

THEY'LL TAKE IT TO STAY AWAKE.

>>Yunji: INTERESTING.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

SHE MENTIONED MOTHERS.

WOMEN WOULD WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT.

PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING JOBS.

WHAT IS THE PROFILE OF THE PERSON WOULD COMES BEFORE YOU IN COURT?

>> COURT, DRUG COURT I WORK IN, COMPRISED OF CRIMINAL DEFENDANT, MORE ON PROBATION.

BUT THERE'S NO PARTICULAR PROFILE.

MUCH MORE PREDOMINANTLY MALE.

REFLECTIVE OF THE POPULATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT HITS ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE.

ALL CLASS OF PEOPLE.

DOES NOT DISTINGUISH, SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS, RACE, GENDER.

>>Yunji: HOW DO PEOPLE GET INTRODUCED TO THIS?

SOUNDS LIKE SORT OF LIKE A UTILITY AS OPPOSED TO A PARTY DRUG.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW PEOPLE ENCOUNTER THIS DRUG AT FIRST?

>> I THINK SAME ANSWER IN ALL THE KINDS OF WAYS.

SOME PEOPLE START, HAVE MANY PEOPLE STARTED WHEN THEY WERE KIDS.

AND HONESTLY, I THINK IT'S ENDEMIC IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SEE IT AT SCHOOL.

BE SURPRISED.

FAMILIES, PEOPLE GET ANTISOCIAL.

KIND OF ACQUAINTANCES.

SOME PEOPLE USE IT LIKE DOCTOR SAID, IT HELPS THEM FUNCTION.

AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING ON DAILY BASIS.

BECAUSE OF THE, IF THE INITIAL EFFECTS.

SO I THINK THERE ARE MANY PATHWAYS TO GETTING INTRODUCED METHAMPHETAMINE LIKE MANY OTHER DRUGS.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT BREAKING THAT ADDICTION.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR THIS AND DO WE HAVE ENOUGH OPTIONS HERE IN THE ISLANDS?

>> SECOND PART OF IT IS DON'T.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TREATMENT OPTIONS.

ISSUE WITH THAT IS THAT WE NEED, SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS ESPECIALLY METHAMPHETAMINE DISORDER, AS A BROAD CLINICAL DISEASE JUST LIKE WE WERE CANCER, DIABETES, THAT KIND OF THING.

UNFORTUNATELY, WITH METHAMPHETAMINE, USE, DISORDERS, WE DON'T HAVE GOOD MEDICATION ASSISTED THERAPIES LIKE WE DO WITH OPIOIDS.

PART OF THE REASON WHY WE'RE SEEING FAIRLY LOW OPIOID PREVALENCE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII AS COMPARED TO THE MAINLAND DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB.

TOOLS AVAILABLE.

METH DON'T.

WITH METHAMPHETAMINE, LITTLE BIT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO FIND THOSE MEDICATIONS ASSISTED THERAPIES.

TREATMENT MODALITIES THAT WE UTILIZE ARE EFFECTIVE TO A DEGREE, BUT WITH METHAMPHETAMINE, UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE HANNA WAS SAYING, SOMETIMES WITH A FIRST USE, IT CAN TRIGGER PHYSIOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE.

FROM THERE, LONGTERM USE, TAKES A MUCH LONGER TIME FOR PEOPLE TO START TO ENGAGE IN RECOVERY AND STATE STAY IN RECOVERY.

>>Yunji: ABSENT OTHER KINDS TOOLS YOU WERE MENTIONING, LIKE METHADONE FOR OPIOID ADDICTION.

WHAT IS SORT OF COURSE OF TREATMENT AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TYPICALLY, I KNOW THAT EVERY PERSON IS PROBABLY DIFFERENT.

TYPICALLY, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BE ABLE TO TRANSITION OFF OF THESE DRUGS?

>> AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR PEOPLE WITH METHAMPHETAMINE USE DISORDER IN TREATMENT IS ABOUT SIX MONTHS.

WE NEED TO ACTUALLY EXPAND THAT.

BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LEVELS OF CARE.

SO SOMETIMES PERSON CAN BE IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FOR 3 TO 6 MONTHS.

STILL HAVE A LONG TIME IN OUTPATIENT TREATMENT OR AFTER CARE RECOVERY TREATMENT.

SO SOMETIMES IT CAN TAKE 2 TO 4 YEARS.

BEING ENGAGED IN SOME FORM OF THERAPY.

THERAPY FOR THE FOR IT TO REALLY TAKE.

RELAPSE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT ESPECIALLY ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE, USE DISORDER, AVERAGE AMOUNT OF RELAPSE THAT PEOPLE EXPERIENCE, RELAPSE IS WHEN YOU GET, YOU GET A PERIOD OF ABSTINENCE OR RECOVERY, THEN FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU START USING AGAIN.

BUT THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT SOMEBODY WILL RELAPSE, LONGTERM, REALLY TAKES ABOUT 7 TO 9 TIMES.

>>Yunji: 7 TO 9 TIMES?

>> YES.

>>Yunji: WOW.

HANNA TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT RECOVERY PROCESS.

WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.

THAT RATE OF RELAPSE IS JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

>> FOR US LOOKING AT ADDICTION PROCESS, WE KNOW BASICALLY THAT INDIVIDUALS REQUIRE THAT TIME.

I THINK IT TAKES A LIFETIME TO GET A ADDICTED SOMETIMES.

GOING TO TAKE A LIFETIME TO REALLY MAKE THAT CHANGE.

INDIVIDUALS FIGURE THEY GO INTO TREATMENT, EVERYTHING IS OKAY.

I GOT TREATMENT.

I'M FINE.

RETURN TO THE SAME SITUATION.

SAME HOUSEHOLD.

MAYBE WITH THEIR WIFE OR HUSBAND.

THAT'S CONTINUING TO USE.

SAME COMMUNITIES.

BACK AT IT AGAIN.

SO WE'RE LOOK AT TREATMENT, WHAT WE NOTICED AT WORK IS THERE'S A MYRIAD OF THINGS NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL, THINGS REALLY DRIVING THE ADDICTION.

WHAT I FOUND WITHIN OUR TREATMENT SETTING, IT'S NOT A STANDALONE DISORDER.

OTHER UNDERLYING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.

I WOULD SAY ABOUT 99% OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE TREAT HAVE SOME SORT OF TRAUMATIC HISTORY.

SOMETHING THAT DRIVING THAT.

EITHER BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED.

SOME SORT OF TRAUMATIC EVENT IN THEIR LIFE.

THAT HAS REALLY CHANGED IT.

AND THEY'VE BEEN USING SUBSTANCES TO REALLY COPE WITH IT.

WHEN IT COMES TO LOOK AT THE TRAJECTORY OF SUCCESS, IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT BECAUSE I WOULD SAY IT'S REALLY BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

SOMETIMES SAD THING IS WE TEND TO SEE THEM COME IN THREE, FOUR, FIVE TIMES.

BUT I LIKE TO LOOK AT IT FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST POINT OF VIEW.

SAY IT'S INCREMENTAL PROGRESS.

THEY'RE MAKING ALONG THE WAY.

PEOPLE SEE IT AS LIKE, WOW, YOU'RE BACK IN HERE AGAIN.

I'M LIKE, WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM THE LAST TIME?

THEY'RE MAKING PROGRESS ALONG THE WAY.

SO IT IS.

VERY LONGTERM PROCESS WHEN IT COMES TO TREATMENT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LIFETIME OF CHANGE.

>>Yunji: AS A JUDGE, HAS TO BE PARTICULARLY FRUSTRATING SEEING THE SAME DEFENDANT COME BEFORE YOU THAT MANY TIMES.

HOW DO YOU KNOW AND WHAT KIND OF PUNISHMENTER WHAT KIND OF TREATMENTS TO YOU OFFER TO SOMEONE TO GET THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH KNOWING THAT THERE IS THAT KIND OF RELAPSE?

>> UNDERSTAND THAT IS THE NATURE OF THEIR DISEASE OR THEIR ADDICTION.

THAT IS PART OF THE ADDICTION THAT IS PART OF THEIR RECOVERY PROCESS.

AND THAT'S WHY DRUG COURT IS MINIMUM 2 YEARS.

AND WE DON'T KNOW ONE IS HAPPY WHEN SOMEONE RELAPSES, BUT IT'S NOT UNEXPECTED.

YOU KIND OF BUILD THAT INTO THAT DRUG COURT MODEL.

OUR DRUG COURT PROGRAM LIKE I SAID, IS LESS FOR MINIMUM OF 2 YEARS JUST BECAUSE OF ALL REASONS THAT EDDIE AND HANNA WERE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS A LONG PROCESS.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN PEOPLE RELAPSE, IF THEY MAKE THOSE INCREMENTAL GAINS, IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO UNDO THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE.

AND ON TOP OF IT, OFTEN IT'S NOT JUST THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

IT'S THE REASONS THAT CAUSE THAT PERSON TO GET INTO THAT SITUATION IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ONCE I START PEELING OFF THE LAYERS OF ONION A LITTLE BIT, SEE UNDER LYING TRAUMA.

LONG HISTORY OF DYSFUNCTION.

VERY OFTEN, COWORKER MENTAL ILLNESS.

THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

SO WORK IN THIS AREA, A WHILE, KIND OF GET USED TO NOT FRUSTRATED, BUT UNDERSTANDING IN A IT IS LONG PROCESS.

>>Yunji: WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO GET RESOURCES THEY NEED, ARE YOU ABLE TO GIVE THEM WHAT HE NEED GIVEN THE CONSTRAINTS ANY CAN'T IMAGINE THE TWO YEARS OF THAT KIND OF INTERVENTIONS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, CERTAINLY NOT CHEAP.

>> NO.

IT'S MONEY WE WELL SPENT ON THE FRONT END.

HONESTLY.

BUT WE'RE FORTUNATE OUR DRUG COURT IS A LITTLE, UNUSUALLY WE HAVE OUR OWN TREATMENT PROGRAM WITHIN OUR DRUG COURT.

INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM.

I THINK EDDIE KNOWS IT.

HE WAS THERE.

WHEN DRUG COURT FIRST STARTED.

WE HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH ADAD.

JUST NOT ENOUGH TREATMENT AVAILABLE.

IT'S EXPENSIVE.

BUT YOU KNOW, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IT PAYS GREAT DIVIDENDS DOWN THE ROAD.

>>Yunji: QUESTIONS COMING IN INTEREST OUR AUDIENCE.

INVITE TO YOU KEEP TALKING TO US BECAUSE WE LOVE THAT JOHN ON FACEBOOK WANTS TO KNOW, I THINK THIS IS A GREAT QUESTION FROM MAJOR JOHNSON, WHERE IS THE ICE COMING FROM AND DO WE HAVE METH LABS HERE IN HAWAII?

>> WE DON'T COME ACROSS SO MANY METH LABS LIKE VIA 20, 25 YEARS AGO.

YOU WOULD SEE MORE REPORTS.

I'M NOT SAYING THEY DON'T EXIST.

THE METH PREDOMINANTLY COMING FROM MEXICO.

AND IT'S COMING VIA SOME CITIES IN THE WEST COAST, LIKE ANY OTHER PRODUCT WE GET ON HAWAII, IT'S COMING BY SHIP OR BY PLANE.

SO IT'S CARRIED IN.

SHIPPED IN.

COMES THROUGH PARCELS.

MAIL THROUGH DIFFERENT SHIPPING COMPANIES.

AS FAR AS LABS AND PRODUCTION, WE'LL SEE VERY RARELY THAT THESE DAYS.

CONCERNING IT'S TOO EASY TO GET VIA OTHER METHODS.

PRODUCT WE'RE GETTING BEING SHIPPED HERE MUCH HIGHER QUALITY THAN ANYBODY CAN MAKE IN A LAB IN THEIR GARAGE OR WHEREVER.

>>Yunji: YOU KNOW, IT'S HARD TO THINK OF YOUR AGENCY AND NOT THINK OF COVID BECAUSE THAT REALLY IS HOW WE HEAR ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THESE DAYS.

I'M INTERESTED TO KNOW HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED WHAT RESOURCES YOU'RE ABLE TO OFFER GIVEN THAT ALL OF THE RESOURCES I WOULD THINK WERE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE REALLY FOCUSED ON COMBATING COVID.

HOW IS THE PANDEMIC CHANGED WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND DO YOU SEE INCREASE IN DRUG USE WITH THE PANDEMIC?

>> REALLY ACTUALLY GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I LOOK AT THE PANDEMIC AS REALLY UNFORTUNATELY BOTH AMAZING, SOME WAYS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR TO US LOOK AT OUR SYSTEMS AND SEE HOW OUR SYSTEM RESPOND TO NOT JUST PANDEMIC OF COVID, PERIPHERAL IMPACTS OF COVID.

PEOPLE ARE ISOLATED.

PEOPLE'S JOBS ARE GETTING IMPACTED.

MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ON THE RISE MUCH SUBSTANCE ISSUES ON THE RISE.

OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK IT WHERE THE PUKAS ARE IN OUR SYSTEM.

NEGATIVE IMPACTS THAT A LOT OF FOCUS HAVE BEEN ON COVID, VALIDLY, DEAL WITH THAT CRISIS FIRST.

WE ALSO NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE RESIDUAL IMPACTS OF COVID ON THINGS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS SEE THAT FOR A DECADE.

COVID HAS ALLOWED US TO RECEIVE EXPANDED FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH ARPA AND SUPPORT ACT AND CARES BEFORE THAT.

SO WE'RE ACTUALLY, THAT IS A POSITIVE.

THAT'S A SILVER LINING.

ANOTHER SILVER LINING TELEHEALTH.

SEEN AND HANNA WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, ACTUALLY SEEN A LOT MORE RECEPTIVENESS TO ENGAGEMENT AND TREATMENT VIA TELEHEALTH.

REALLY LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN KIND OF TAKE THE LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED FROM COVID AND APPLY THEM LONGTERM TO OUR SYSTEM OF CARE.

>>Yunji: BUILD ON THAT FOR US.

HOW HAS COVID IMPACTED WHAT YOU DO AND TALKING ABOUT MAYBE UP SIDE THERE.

>> YEAH.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO AGREE WITH EDDIE.

I'LL AGREE WITH YOU THIS TIME, THANK YOU.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME POSITIVITY COME OUT OF IT.

WHAT IS GIVEN US, OPPORTUNITIES TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT WE NEVER SAW BEFORE.

TO REALLY TAP INTO RESOURCES AND BE CREATIVE ABOUT IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR AGENCY HAS DONE IS WE'RE ON THE BIG ISLAND.

CAN YOU IMAGINE HOW IT IS WITH RESOURCES?

WE TALK ABOUT IT HERE ON THIS ISLAND, WHEN YOU'RE GOING TO RURAL POCKETS UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED.

HAVING TO BE CREATIVE.

COVID HAS ALLOWED US TO REALLY TEST WATERS THERE.

TELEHEALTH SERVICES HAD AN HAS BEEN REALLY GREAT.

ABLE GO INTO PEOPLE'S HOME.

GIVE THEM THE SERVICES AND THEY'RE 100 MILES AWAY.

THEY COULD BE IN THEIR HOMES GETTING THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.

>>Yunji: ARE THEY AS EFFECTIVE?

THERE IS SOMETHING THAT IS GAINED WITH THIS IN PERSON RELATIONSHIP.

I WOULD THINK PARTICULARLY WITH A THERAPIST.

>> I WOULD SAY, POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES.

I THINK ONE OF THE POSITIVES OBVIOUSLY IS HAVING THE ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH THE INDIVIDUALS.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

DOESN'T HAVE THAT HUMAN QUALITY AS MUCH.

THAT IN PERSON QUALITY.

I WOULD AGREE.

INTO THERE'S A QUESTION HERE, MARK IN KALIHI WANTS KNOW.

JUDGE, I'LL TAKE THIS TO YOU.

USUAL INTERACTED WITH A NUMBER OF METH USER OVER YOUR TIME AT THE COURT.

CAN REGULAR METH USERS BE FUNCTIONAL IN SOCIETY AND FOR HOW LONG?

FROM MARK IN KAILUA.

>> GIVE YOU MY PERSPECTIVE.

MAYBE EDDIE AND HANNA ANSWER THAT QUESTION MORE FULLY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE I THINK CAN FUNCTION AT SOME LEVEL.

MAYBE FOR THE SHORT TERM.

USING METHAMPHETAMINE.

I HAVEN'T SEEN TOO MANY PEOPLE USE IT FOR A LONG TIME.

AND BEING ABLE TO FUNCTION IN THE SAME KIND OF WAY.

BUT IT'S THEIR A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, IN MY CORE OF WORKING, OCCASIONLY WILL TEST POSITIVE FOR METHAMPHETAMINE.

SO IT'S BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN USE IT FROM TIME TO TIME.

I THINK OVER THE LONGTERM, IT'S GIVEN ALL THE DAMAGE THAT IT DOES NEUROLOGICALLY, BEHAVIORALLY, IT'S REALLY HARD TO FUNCTION AT ANY KIND OF LEVEL THAT SOMEONE WOULD WANT TO FUNCTION.

OVER EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME OF USE.

>>Yunji: IS THERE SUCH THING AS A CASUAL METH USER?

>> THERE IS.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH JUDGE.

I THINK WITH ALL OF THIS, SIMILAR TO SUCH THING AS FUNCTIONAL TYPE 2 DIABETIC.

SO YOU KNOW, ANY KIND OF CHRONIC DISEASE OR ILLNESS LIKE THIS, YOU CAN FUNCTION WITH BEHAVIORS THAT ARE COUNTERINTUITIVE TO BEING HEALTHY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

AND AFTER A WHILE, IT STARTS TO TAKE ITS ATOLL.

PHYSIOLOGICALLY AND SOCIALLY.

I WOULD JUST ALSO WANT TO ADD LIKE, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, IF YOU'RE TRYING TO BE A FUNCTIONAL USE METHAMPHETAMINE IN A FUNCTIONAL WAY, YOU'RE STILL TAKING RISKS AND GETTING ENGAGED WITH LAW.

WITH THE LAW.

SO SOONER OR LATER THAT IS GOING TO CATCH UP.

>>Yunji: THERE'S A CALLER FROM HILO WANTS KNOW.

GREAT QUESTION FOR YOU.

CAN ONE OF THE PANELISTS EXPLAIN HOW PEOPLE ACTUALLY TAKE METH?

IS IT SMOKED OR INJECTED?

ANOTHER QUESTION.

WHAT IS CRYSTAL METH OR ICE?

WHAT IS IT IN IT?

DO USERS REALLY KNOW?

>> AS FAR AS WHAT IT IS, IT'S HIGHLY ADDICTIVE.

STIMULANT.

IT'S CHEAPER THAN COCAINE.

EASY TO OBTAIN.

THAT'S WHY IT'S SUCH IN HAWAII.

AS FAR AS HOW IT'S, I THINK THE METHOD OF CHOICE IS SMOKING IT.

HEATED AND INHALING IT.

THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE INJECT IT.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO USE METHAMPHETAMINE.

AND AS FAR AS FUNCTIONAL METH USER, PROBABLY THE ONES THAT I DEAL WITH MOSTLY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MY COUNTERPARTS, OTHER AREAS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ARE THOSE WHO THINK THEY CAN FUNCTION, THEY HAVE TO BEG, BORROW AND STEAL TO GET THEIR DRUGS.

I THINK IT'S THE SIDE OF IT THAT I SEE MORE THAN MAYBE THE POSITIVE SIDE WHERE THEY'RE GETTING TREATMENT AND GETTING BETTER.

MOST OF THE CRIMES I WOULD SAY THAT PEOPLE COMMIT PROPERTY CRIMES.

BURGLARIES.

CAR THEFTS.

PURSE SNATCHING.

GOT TO BE SOME DRUG NEXUS THERE.

WHETHER IT'S TO GET MONEY TO BUY DRUGS TO GET THEIR NEXT FIX.

THOSE ARE THE INDIVIDUALS THAT I THINK WE SEND TO JUDGES WAY.

FOR THE DRUG COURT.

THOSE WHO SEE IT AS A TIME THAT THEY CAN GET HELP FROM IT.

>>Yunji: HOW EASILY AVAILABLE IS IT IN THE COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW?

>> WE COULD GO OUTSIDE AND I COULD SHOW YOU.

I'M SURE WE COULD FIND METH WITHIN BLOCKS OF HERE EASILY.

>>Yunji: YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PRICE APPOINTMENT MENTIONED EARLIER EVEN KIDS WHO CAN AFFORD TO USE THIS.

SOUNDS LIKE IT'S PRETTY CHEAP.

>> YEAH.

EASY TO OBTAIN.

YEAH.

IT'S NOT EXPENSIVE FOR THE ADDICT FOR THE USER.

>>Yunji: GIVEN ALL OF THAT, HANNA, WHEN SOMEONE TRYING TO GET OFF THIS DRUG IF I CAN GET IT WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS OF WHEREVER I CAN, NOT EXPENSIVE AND SOUNDS LIKE IT'S FAIRLY EASY TO OBTAIN, HOW DO WE BREAK THAT CYCLE?

HOW ARE PEOPLE SUCCESSFUL SO THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE 7 TO 9 RELAPSES?

>> I THINK IT'S ALWAYS ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO TEACH THEM, IS PEOPLE PLACES AND THINGS.

CHANGING YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

PEOPLE THAT YOU'RE WITH.

IS ONE OF THOSE WAYS REALLY MATTER.

GETTING DRUG COURT.

WE ARE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

OUR CLIENTS WHO GO THROUGH DRUG COURT ON THE BIG ISLAND, VERY SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THEY HAVE THAT SUPPORT TO DO THAT.

HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SORT OF NOT BE THE MORE SO PUNITIVE, BUT HAVING THAT UNDERSTANDING AND SAYING HEY, WE NEED TO GET YOU SOME HELP.

HAVING THE INDIVIDUALS LIKE EDDIE AT ADAD TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YEAH, WE CAN DO THIS BUT WE NEED MORE FUNDING TO KIND OF DRIVE TREATMENT.

>>Yunji: THERE'S ANOTHER QUESTION FROM FACEBOOK.

GOOD ONE FOR YOU.

SAYS, ICE BATU HAS BEEN IN HAWAII SINCE THE LATE 1980S.

WHO ARE WE DOING DIFFERENT TO COMBAT?

CAME INTO OUR COMMUNITY, HOW IS IT DIFFERENT NOW.

>> SPEAK FROM THE COURT PERSPECTIVE.

EMPHASIZE NOW MUCH MORE OF THE THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT APPROACH.

ONE.

GREAT THINGS ABOUT DRUG COURT IS WE HAVE POWER OF THE COURT TO GET PEOPLE INTO TREATMENT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WHETHER THEY WANT TO OR NOT.

I THINK A LOT OF RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO TREATMENT, START AND STAY THERE, FOR MANY PEOPLE, IT WILL TAKE HOLD SO TO SPEAK.

AND WE CAN DO THAT.

BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES INCLUDE GOING TO JAIL AND GOING TO PRISON.

WE HAVE THAT TOOL.

WE ALSO TAKE A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH.

LIKE HANNA AND EDDIE AND MAJOR WAS SAYING, TELL OUR PARTICIPANTS THEY NEED TO CREATE A LIFE THAT THEY VALUE MORE THAN THE LIFE THAT THEY CAME FROM.

TELL OUR PARTICIPANT.

WHEN THEY HAVE SOME SUCCESS, SOME OF THEM, HIT THEIR 90 DAY MARK OF BEING TESTING NEGATIVE.

BEING CLEAN.

SAY, HEY, WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED TO YOU?

I CAN'T REMEMBER.

THEN THEY BUILD ON THAT SUCCESS.

THEY START IS TO SEE THE VALUE AND THEY START TO CREATE A LIFE FOR THEMSELVES THAT THEY VALUE MORE.

AND SO TAKES A LITTLE BIT OF TOUGH LOVE.

TAKES SOME OPPORTUNITY.

GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO EVERYTHING ELSE THEY'RE SUPPOSED DO BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

>> GOT TO GET A JOB.

GET A PAYROLL JOB.

YOU HAVE TO COME TO COURT AND SHOW UP ON TIME.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF FAMILY.

HAVE YOUR GED.

SO THAT AFTER THEY'RE DONE WITH TREATMENT, WITH OUR COURT, THEY HAVE SOME FOUNDATION THAT THEY CAN SOME HISTORY OF SUCCESS AND SOME OF THE BASIC FOUNDATION SO IF THEY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH THEY CAN DO IT.

>> I THINK OVER TIME, THAT'S WHY DRUG COURT STARTED.

THE WAY WE USED DO IT, BACK WHEN THERE WAS A WAR ON DRUGS IN THE LATE 80s, 90s, PURELY PUNITIVE APPROACH.

MOST PEOPLE WHATEVER YOURS PERSPECTIVE, BY AND LARGE INEFFECTIVE.

WE NEED DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND DRUG COURT, BEEN AROUND FOR 25 YEARS.

26 YEARS.

>>Yunji: KIND OF BUILDING ON THAT.

PAT ON MAUI HAS A QUESTION.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING A LOT ABOUT THE FROM DRUG USER'S PERSPECTIVE.

QUESTION ABOUT DRUG DEALERS.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY THE SAME BUT NOT ALWAYS.

WHY ARE SENTENCES FOR DRUG DEALERS SO LENIENT AND LET OFF WITH A WRIST SLAP?

SHOULD BE HARSHER PENALTIES TO KEEP THEM FROM CONTINUING TO DEAL DRUGS IN THE COMMUNITY.

TALKING A LOT ABOUT DRUG COURT IN TERMS OF THE USERS.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE DEALERS AND PENALTIES THERE?

>> MAJOR CAN PROBABLY AMPLIFY ON THIS.

THERE ARE RANGE OF TYPES OF DEALING.

MANY PEOPLE USED WILL DEAL ON A LOW LEVEL.

TO MAKE MONEY.

AND GET BY.

OTHER ONES WHO DO IT FOR EVERYBODY DIFFERENT BUSINESS PURPOSE.

IT'S A BIT OF PERSPECTIVE.

I THINK SOME OF THE PUNISHMENTS FOR DEALING OUR LAWS DO THE SAME THING.

SOMEBODY WAS A USER AND POSSESSOR.

SOMEONE WHO IS DEALING.

EVEN IF THEY POSSESS DRUGS.

INTENT IS TO DISTRIBUTE IT.

SERIOUS FELONY OFFENSE.

GO AWAY FOR TEN, 20 YEARS.

>> >>Yunji: IS THAT EFFECTIVE SENDING PEOPLE AWAY FOR TEN, 20 YEARS?

ALSO QUESTIONS HERE WHO SAY, THAT YOU KNOW, ARRESTING PEOPLE IS NOT HELPING AND ON AND ON.

WE HAVE BOTH SIDES OF THAT DEBATE.

>>Ashley: I THINK IT'S PROBABLY COMPLICATED AND ISSUE AND NUANCE ANSWER.

CERTAINLY SOME PEOPLE NEED TO GO PRISON.

BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO THEY CREATE HARM IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND OTHERS WOULD, THEY MAY HAVE DONE SOME BAD THINGS.

BUT THEY CAN BE REDEEMED.

AND THEY CAN TURN INTO PRODUCTIVE LAW ABIDING CITIZENS.

MUCH MORE COST EFFECTIVE AND OVER THE LONGTERM, EVEN THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE GIVEN THE HARSHEST PUNISHMENT GO TO PRISON.

COME OUT OF PRISON.

RECIDIVATE VERY HIGH RATE.

EFFECTIVE AT TIMES?

SURE.

SOME PEOPLE DESERVE IT.

SURE.

IS IT THE BEST WAY GO FOR SOMEONE WHO IS PRIMARY REASON FOR BEING INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND BEING, HAVING COMMIT THE CRIMES THEY DID, IS IT BECAUSE MAINLY IT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND RELATED ISSUES?

I THINK YOU KNOW, GOOD ARGUE OPPORTUNITY TO BE MADE.

IT'S MORE PRODUCTIVE.

FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO LIVE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ON PROBATION.

AND GET TREATMENT SO THEY DON'T CONTINUE TO COMMIT THE CRIMES THAT THEY COMMITTED IN THE PAST.

>>Yunji: WE'VE GOT ANOTHER SET OF LAW ENFORCEMENT QUESTIONS.

THESE ARE BOTH ACTUALLY FROM PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN WAIKIKI.

WARREN IN WAIKIKI SAYS, DRUG PROBLEM IN WAIKIKI IS GETTING WORSE WITH LESS POLICING AND MORE TOLERANCE OF PEOPLE USING DRUGS IN PUBLIC.

JOHN IN WAIKIKI SAYS, THERE ARE SQUATTERS AND VACANT APARTMENT USE AND DEALING DRUGS NEAR ME IN WAIKIKI.

HOW CAN I GET RID OF THEM?

WE KNOW HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SHORT SEVERAL HUNDRED OFFICERS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES ON YOUR END TO DO ENFORCEMENT FOR JOHN AND WARREN AND THE NEIGHBORS THAT OBVIOUSLY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE SUFFERING?

>> YES.

I THINK WE DO.

>> WE DO WHAT WE CAN.

I THINK WE SHARED A PHONE NUMBER THEY CAN CALL FOR HOUSES JUST LIKE.

>>Yunji: WE'LL PUT THAT UP RIGHT THERE.

>>Ashley: ENCOURAGE THEM TO CALL AS MUCH INFORMATION THEY CAN GIVE US ABOUT THE LOCATION, ABOUT THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, AS MUCH AS THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT, WE'LL TAKE THAT INFORMATION.

IF THEY WANT TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS, THAT'S FINE TOO.

WE'LL TAKE THAT AND INVESTIGATE.

WE INVESTIGATE EVERY COMPLAINT.

AS YOUR CALLER MADE.

AS FAR AS THE RESOURCES, THESE ARE TOUGH TIMES.

I THINK IN EVERY FIELD ESPECIALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN WITH THE PERSONNEL WE HAVE.

AND THE MONEY WE HAVE.

AND WE DO HAVE TO PRIORITIZE AND YOU KNOW, ENCAMPMENT OF HOMELESS PEOPLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THERE IS DRUG DEALING AND THAT GOING ON.

I'M NOT SAYING IT'S NOT THERE.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WILL LOOK AT AND WE TAKE IT, EVERY COMPLAINT SERIOUSLY.

>>Yunji: QUESTION ACTUALLY FOLLOWING UP TO HOW YOU WERE SAYING THAT THESE DRUGS ARE COMING FROM MEXICO.

EXPAND ON THE SUPPLIERS OTHER COUNTRIES WHERE THEY ARE.

SUPPLIERS WITH METH IMPORTED TO HAWAII AND ANOTHER QUESTION ASKING, BY HAVE A PERSON SPONSORED WHO GOT TWO POUNDS OF ICE SHIPMENT AIR MAILED.

WHY IS IT SO EASY?

DOES HAWAII HAVE THE MANPOWER TO OVERLOOK SHIPPING AND AIR CARGO?

>> TO ANSWER BOTH OF THOSE IN ONE ANSWER, NO.

WE DON'T HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES.

HOWEVER, WE DO TACKLE IT, OUR FIRST STRATEGY IN TACKLING THIS PROBLEM IS ADDICTION.

AS OR AIRPORTS, I HAVE A CANINE DETAIL.

WE HAVE TASK FORCE THAT OUR PERSONNEL SHERIFF'S PERSONNEL AND THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT ALL TAKE TOGETHER, WE PARTNER WITH U.S.

POSTAL FEDEX, UPS, EVERY WAYS COMING IN.

WE TAKE A LOT OF DRUGS OUT OF CIRCULATION THAT WAY.

A LOT OF POUNDAGE.

A LOT SLIPS THROUGH.

WHY WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.

DO WE HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES?

MAYBE NO.

CUTTING THE SUPPLY WILL CUT THE DEMAND OF COURSE.

CUTTING DEMAND WILL CUT OFF THE SUPPLY.

SO ALL I CAN SAY IS NO.

RESOURCE I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, TRY TO USE EVERY TOOL AND EVERY RESOURCE THAT I DO HAVE AVAILABLE.

TO TACKLE IT BEST WE CAN.

>>Yunji: CUTTING DEMAND.

MARK ON FACEBOOK WANTS TO KNOW, CAN THE PANELIST TALK MORE ABOUT PREVENTION.

HOW DO WE STOP THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> SUCH A THANK YOU MARK FOR THAT QUESTION.

BECAUSE THAT IS THE QUESTION.

IT'S THE SAME QUESTION THAT WE ASK RIGHT NOW.

FOR COVID.

FOR EXAMPLE.

PREVENTION EFFORTS THAT WE UTILIZE AND EMPLOY TO KEEP THE SPREAD OF THIS DISEASE FROM KIND OF GOING THROUGH RUNNING RAMPANT.

>> TALK ABOUT RESOURCE OF INTERDICTION.

I GOT TO SAY IN MY EXPERIENCE OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS, IDEA OF LIKE WHAT ARE WE DOING DIFFERENT, DEALING WITH DRUG USE FOR CENTURY.

AND I THINK THE QUESTION OF WHAT ARE WE DOING DIFFERENT IS THE FIRST THING WE DO EVERYONE DID.

OR WHAT SHOULD WE DO DIFFERENT.

BECAUSE NOW, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE'RE STARTING TO SAY, RATHER THAN HAVE THE PENDULUM ALL THE WAY OVER HERE WITH USE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KIND OF STOP THE DRUGS AND INTERADDICT.

AND THEN SWING THE PENDULUM IF THAT IS NOT WORKING ALL THE WAY TO JUST INVEST IN TREATMENT ONLY TREATMENT, AND NOT UTILIZE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

REALLY WE NEED THAT PARTNERSHIP.

AND WE NEED THAT EQUAL KIND OF PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH.

SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND I THINK WE'VE DONE A REALLY GREAT JOB OF DOING THAT IN HAWAII.

PREVENTION PIECE IS THE OTHER MAJOR MAJOR PIECE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE IN ADAD, SPEND RIGHT NOW, WE SPEND ABOUT 75% OF OUR TOTAL BUDGET ON TREATMENT.

ONLY ABOUT 25% OF THE BUDGET ON PREVENTION.

KIND OF LIKE TO EVEN THAT OUT I A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE KNOW EVEN THOUGH WE SEE IT IMMEDIATELY.

IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTION, WE'RE ACTUALLY REDUCING THE PROBLEM OVERALL.

SO OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, WE'RE GOING TO START TO EMPLOY A LOT MORE PREVENTION EFFORTS.

I'LL JUST, I WILL TO WRITE SOME OF THESE THOUGHTS DOWN.

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THEM IN MY BRAIN.

LAST YEAR, DID A SURVEY.

AND 12 TO 17 YEAR OLDS OVER A QUARTER OF HAWAII'S TOTAL POPULATION, OF 12 TO 7 YEAR OLDS HAVE USED METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE TO INVEST MORE IN PREVENTION.

OTHERWISE, GOING TO KEEP SPINNING OUR WHEEL DOWN THE STREAM.

WITH ALL OF THE STUFF WE'RE DOING.

NOT THAT THAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.

WE NEED THOSE KIND OF COMPONENTS.

BUT WE GOT TO DO PREVENTION.

>>Yunji: FOR THAT, THAT'S A SHOCKING STATISTIC.

25% OF 12 TO 17 YEAR OLDS.

WHAT KIND OF SPECIFIC PREVENTION MEASURES ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

>> THE SAME KINDS OF PREVENTION MEASURES THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT.

WHY DO PEOPLE, WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME ADDICTED TO ANY SUBSTANCE?

IT'S BECAUSE THERE'S UNDERLYING CAUSES LIKE CHILDHOOD TRAUMA, THERE'S LONELINESS.

FAMILY DYNAMICS.

WE ACTUALLY ARE SEEING THIRD GENERATION METHAMPHETAMINE USE WHERE THE GRANDMOTHER HAS A METHAMPHETAMINE PROBLEM.

GRANDPARENTS.

CHILDREN AND THEN THEIR CHILDREN ARE NOW STARTING TO GET INTO METHAMPHETAMINE.

FAMILY DYNAMICS THAT HANNA TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, SOCIOECONOMICS OF IT.

SO ALL OF THOSE, IDEA UTILIZING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SPORT, AND INVESTING IN MAKING SURE THAT ADOLESCENCE HAVE THOSE ALTERNATIVE CHOICES AND EVEN IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE ONCE IN A WHILE, THAT WE'RE ENCOURAGING DIFFERENT CHOICES FOR THEM.

MAKING THAT CHOICE THE EASIER CHOICE THAN TO JUST START GETTING HIGH.

>>Yunji: WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS BECAUSE IT DOES SEEM LIKE IF YOU HAVE A DRUG USER IN YOUR FAMILY, THAT IS GOING TO AFFECT THE WHOLE FAMILY WHETHER THEY USE DRUGS OR NOT.

>> THERE IS.

I THINK I JUST WANTED TO ADD ON TO WHAT EDDIE SAID.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT LIKE WHAT IS THE KEY TO PREVENTION, THE BIGGEST THING IS HAVING THAT'S OPEN DIALOGUE.

WITH EVERYONE.

STILL THAT STIGMA THAT IS INVOLVED.

THAT SHAME COMPONENT PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO BRING IT UP.

I THINK THAT PLAYS A LOT INTO SORT OF PERPETUATING OF ADDICTION.

OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN KIND OF LOOK AT TOO IS SOME OF THE FAMILY DYNAMICS IS REALLY ADDRESSING LIKE MAYBE IT'S NOT THE CHILD.

MAYBE IT'S THE PARENTS.

MAYBE PARENTS NEED TO HELP THAT THEY NEED.

HEARD SOMETHING VERY ALARMING TODAY.

I DID A FOCUS GROUP WITH A COUPLE OF THE CLIENTS.

AT MY FACILITY.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LIKE WITH THE KIDS, WHAT ARE WE SEEING WITH KIDS AND THAT, WHAT EDDIE IS SAYING, DEFINITELY WHAT WE'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

BUT THERE ARE NOT USING METH IN A WAY WHERE THEY'RE SMOKING IT ANY MORE.

INJECTING IT.

THEY'RE USING NEEDLES.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THE CHANGE.

WE NEED MORE DATA TO DIG IT OUT WHAT IS GOING ON THERE.

TO ME, THAT IS VERY ALARMING.

I CAN SEE DEFINITELY, THAT THE KIDS INCREASE USE WITH METH.

BUT NOW, THEIR ROUTE OF USE IS MOVING FROM SMOKING TO INJECTING.

SO TROUBLING.

>>Yunji: HOW DO YOU THINK WE REACH THOSE FOLKS?

ESPECIALLY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE SO COMMUNITIES THAT YOU SERVE, 100 MILES OUT.

VERY RURAL PARTS OF HAWAII ISLAND.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE.

CAN WORK TO GET PEOPLE THOSE RESOURCE.

>> I THINK WE TO A VERY GOOD JOB ON THE BIG ISLAND.

AT OUR RESOURCES.

BUT WE DO IT SUBLIMINALLY.

EVENTS, BIG LARGE EVENTS.

NOT PRECOVID OBVIOUSLY.

THAT BRINGS IN FAMILIES, CELEBRATES THE COMMUNITY, BUT GETS THE MESSAGING OUT THERE TO PEOPLE.

THEY'RE COMING THERE.

THINK THEY'RE COMING FOR FREE STUFF.

SOME FOOD.

GAMES FOR THE FAMILY.

BUT REALLY, THE WHOLE EVENT IS GEARED TOWARDS PROVIDING THAT UNDERSTANDING AND GIVING THEM THE EDUCATION THAT THEY NEED.

REALLY MAKING IT REMOVING THAT STIGMA.

THAT'S BLOCKING PEOPLE FROM GETTING HELP.

>>Yunji: CARLA HAS A QUESTION.

FOR YOU, JUDGE.

>> SHE SAYS, WHAT ARE THE SUCCESS RATE FOR DRUG COURT GRADUATES?

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT RECIDIVISM.

HOW DO PEOPLE DO IN DRUG COURT?

>> WELL, START WITH THAT.

I THINK WE'RE REALLY EFFECTIVE PROGRAM.

DRUG COURT ACROSS THE NATION HAVE BEEN STUDIED FOR MANY YEARS.

AND I THINK IT'S JUST VERY WELL DOCUMENTED.

THAT DRUG COURTS HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON ONE OF THE TRADITIONAL MEASURES OF SUCCESS RECIDIVISM.

LET ME GIVE YOU STATISTICS FOR OUR DRUG COURT.

HERE IN THE FIRST CIRCUIT.

FROM 2017, THROUGH I THINK END OF 2020, WE GRADUATE 122 INDIVIDUALS.

AND DID A LOOK AT THE END OF 2020.

JUST LOOKING AT WHO BEEN ARRESTED.

NOT EVEN CONVICTED.

TRADITIONAL MEASURES OF RECIDIVISM.

I THINK WE'RE AT ROUGHLY 18%.

WHICH YOU KNOW, IS NOT ZERO.

BUT COMPARED TO SOME OTHER COMPARABLE GROUPS, IT'S A REALLY, VERY GOOD RECIDIVISM RATE.

SOMEBODY, COMING OUT OF PRISON.

MAXED OUT TERM.

GOING TO BE IN THE HIGH SIXTIES.

FOR THE RECIDIVISM RATES.

I THINK, I'M SORT OF PROUD TO SAY WE DO WELL.

IN TERMS OF RATE.

STARTED BACK IN 1990, HAD ROUGHLY 1500 PARTICIPANTS.

A THOUSAND GRADUATED.

WHICH IS I THINK OVERALL, NOT TOO BAD.

GIVEN THE RIGORS OF THAT PROGRAM.

ALSO USED TO RESIDE OVER MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND VETERAN TREATMENT COURT.

COMPARABLE RATES.

>>Yunji: THERE'S MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT EDDIE IS TALKING ABOUT.

25%.

ARE THOSE FOLKS GOING BEFORE YOU IN DRUG COURT?

IS THEIR SORT OF PATH A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF RESOURCES?

>> USED TO PRESIDE OVER JUVENILE DRUG COURT FIRST TIME.

ONE OF THE TRADITIONAL PROBABLY THE BEST PREDICTERS OF FUTURE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HONESTLY, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, IS EARLY ONSET OF SUBSTANCE USE.

SO IT'S NOT UNUSUAL IF THEY START THAT YOUNG.

THAT IS A HARD PATH TO GET OFF OF.

I HAVE SEEN KIND OF THE KIDS I KNEW BACK THEN.

ON AT ADULT SIDE.

WHEN I WAS ON THE ADULT SIDE.

SO IT'S TROUBLING TO SAY THE LEAST.

I'M COMPLETE WITH, EDDIE AND MAJOR TOO, EARLIER, KIND OF INTERVENED AND GIVEN THEM A DIFFERENT WAY TO LIVE TO GOT TO GO SCHOOL.

RIGHT?

ALL OF THOSE KIND OF TRADITIONAL THINGS WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED IN THE TRADITIONAL CONVENTIONAL WAY.

THAT INCREASE THE ODDS THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO END UP IN IN MY COURT.

>>Yunji: NOW, SCHOOL IS SO IMPORTANT.

WE KNOW THAT IN THE LAST YEAR, KIDS DIDN'T GO TO SCHOOL.

NOW, SCHOOL HAS STARTED UP AGAIN.

HOPEFULLY, WITH PREVENTION MEASURES PEOPLE CAN CONTINUE WITH IN PERSON LEARNING WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THOSE KIDS WHO MISSED YEAR OF SCHOOL AND MAYBE SEPARATED FROM THEIR PEER GROUP OR SEPARATED FROM EDUCATORS WHO CAN DO INTERVENTIONS JUST RIGHT THERE.

>> DEFINITELY.

I THINK THE INTERESTING THING FOR US RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, IS PART OF ADAD.

MORE OF YOU ARE SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMMING.

I'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH PRINCIPALS ON OUR ISLAND AND THEY'RE JUST LIKE IN DIRE NEED TO HAVE US RETURN.

BECAUSE WHAT THEY'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS JUST THE INCREASE IN DRUG USE.

ISOLATION, MORE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS RIGHT NOW.

PROBABLY NOT EVEN YOU DON'T EVEN REALIZE.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE STARTING, IN FACT, NEXT WEEK.

AGAIN WITHIN THE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED.

I TRULY BELIEVE IT DOES TAKE A VILLAGE.

WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION IS ON BOARD AND THEY'RE WANTING YOU TO BE THERE TO HELP THE STUDENTS, WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE AND MEET THEM AT THAT NEED.

OTHER THING THAT WE'RE SEEING THAT IS VERY PROMISING FOR US RIGHT NOW, IS NOT NECESSARILY ONLY PROVIDING THE TREATMENT COMPONENT, FOR THESE INDIVIDUAL, BUT ALSO, BEING A CLASS THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR ALL LIKE 7TH OR 8TH GRADERS TO KIND OF GIVE THEM THEY HAD EDUCATION.

NOT NECESSARILY SAYING SAY NO TO DRUGS.

GIVING THEM OTHER BASIC TOOLS THAT GIVES THEM A FIGHTING CHANCE.

GOAL SETTING.

THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> HOW TO PROBLEM SOLVE.

ALL OF THESE TYPE OF BASIC THINGS REALLY PREVENTION WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG USE.

>>Yunji: ANOTHER PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ENCOUNTER DRUGS, IS PRISON.

THERE'S A QUESTION HERE FROM DAN.

LAW ENFORCEMENT QUESTION.

I'LL POSE IT TO YOU.

YOU'RE NOT PRISON LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT HOW DO YOU PREVENT ICE USE IN PRISON.

MANY ICE USERS END UP IN PRISON STILL GET THEIR HANDS ON IT IN JAIL.

>> YEAH.

UNFORTUNATELY, I CAN'T REALLY COMMENT A LOT ON THAT.

WE DO HAVE SOME INVESTIGATIONS INTO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE TRAFFICKING INTO THE PRISON.

MY PERSONNEL, WE TACKLE IT FROM THAT END.

I AM SORRY I CAN'T REALLY GO INTO DETAIL ON WHAT THE PRISON DOES TO KEEP IT OUT.

BUT I'M NOT NAIVE TO THINK IT'S NOT A BIG PROBLEM.

>>Yunji: EDDIE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON DRUG USE IN PRISON?

>> OBVIOUSLY IT'S THERE.

I THINK AGAIN, GOES BACK TO THAT IDEA OF THE BALANCE, APPROACH PUBLIC SAFETY PUBLIC HEALTH.

IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FIND WAYS TO GET ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN PRISON.

THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE.

I THINK WE CAN USE LAW ENFORCEMENT APPROACH TO ADDRESS THAT.

THAT ONLY GOES SO FAR.

I THINK THE OTHER PIECE THAT I THINK HANNA TOUCHED ON IT, TRY TO GET PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION, TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY NEED TO CHANGE OR HOW THEY NEED TO DO.

TO GET BETTER.

WE HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT OURSELVES AND OWN SYSTEMS.

AND KIND OF IDENTIFY THE PUKAS AND THE KIND OF PARADIGMS THAT WE NEED TO SHIFT.

ONE PARADIGM CHANGING IDEA THAT SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS CHARACTERISTIC FAILING OF SOMEBODY.

AND USING OUR SYSTEMS TO BE MORE ENGAGING, LESS JUDGMENTAL, MORE TREATING AS A REAL DISEASE.

IMAGINE IF WE COULD, IF THE AUDIENCE COULD EVEN IMAGINE IF WE COULD ELIMINATE ALL SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN HAWAII OVERNIGHT.

IMAGINE THE IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON CRIME.

IMAGINE THE IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE HAVE ON HOMELESSNESS.

IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN CHANGE THE WAY THAT WE LOOK AT THIS DISEASE AND HOW WE ADDRESS IT.

IF WE START TO USE KIND OF LESSONS THAT WE LEARNED IN TERMS OF COVID AND PANDEMIC, THIS IS A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE.

JUST FACE IT.

PEOPLE ATTAIN SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS OFTENTIMES BECAUSE OF THEIR ENVIRONMENT, BECAUSE OF THEIR FAMILY, WHO THEY'RE ASSOCIATING WITH.

>> ENGAGED IN ENVIRONMENTS WHERE THAT IS THE NORM.

IF WE CAN START TO GO BACK TO THAT PIECE, AND START TO CHANGE IT SO THAT IS NOT THE NORM, WE CAN START TO CHANGE KIND OF THE PREVALENCE RATES IN PRISON AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>>Yunji: LET'S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE WIDER IMPACTS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRIMES THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH METH USE?

WHAT DO YOU SEE FROM PEOPLE WHO USE THIS?

>> LIKE I SAID EARLIER, A LOT OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT END UP IN DRUG COURT AND PRISON, FAIL OUT OF THE DRUG COURT, THE DRUG, THE DRUG CASE THAT IS AGAINST HIM, IS SECONDARY TO WHAT THEY WERE ARRESTED FOR.

BURGLARY, THEFT, SOME OTHER CRIME USUALLY THE POSSESSION ITSELF MIGHT LEAD SOMEONE TO ADMITTING THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

OR A CANDIDATE FOR JUDGES PROGRAM.

AS FAR AS OTHER CRIMES, I MEAN, YOU NAME IT.

ANYTHING, ANYTHING OUT THERE THAT WILL HELP TO CREATE A REVENUE TO BUY THE DRUGS, IS OPEN.

AS A PRODUCT OF THE METH USE.

>>Yunji: HANNA, YOU KNOW, WHEN I THINK WHEN PARENTS HEAR YOU SAY THAT THEY'RE INJECTING THIS, AND HEAR EDDIE'S STATISTIC ABOUT 25%.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO FAMILIES WHO MAY NOT HAVE A HISTORY OF DRUG USE THEMSELVES BUT THEY KNOW THAT THEIR KIDS MAY BE EXPOSED TO THIS SOCIALLY OR WHAT HAVE YOU.

WHAT IS THE CONVERSATION?

HOW DO YOU HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AT HOME.

YOU TALK ABOUT OPENING DIALOGUE.

HOW DO YOU HAVE THAT DIALOGUE AND WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY OTHER THAN DON'T DO THAT?

>> OF COURSE.

I THINK JUST GIVING THEM PERMISSION TO COME FORWARD.

YOU KNOW, I THINK A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE STIGMA.

SURROUNDED.

>> IT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN MY HOUSE.

THAT'S WHAT WE HEAR OFTEN.

SO SOMETIMES THAT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE KID BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE USING BUT PARENTS ARE LIKE TOO PROUD TO SORT OF BRING THAT FORWARD.

I THINKS REALLY NORMALIZING HOW ARE ACCEPTING OF SOMEONE WHO IS WILLING TO COME FORWARD OR JUST GIVING THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY TO COME FORWARD.

>>Yunji: THERE'S A QUESTION HERE.

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT THIS.

PLEASE COMMENT ON THE HIGH AMOUNT OF VIOLENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO USE METH.

PHYSICALLY, WE HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE WHO GET VERY STRONG WHEN THEY'RE ON METH OR SEEM TO HAVE SOME SUPERSTRENGTH OR SORT OF OUT OF THEIR MIND.

WHY IS VIOLENCE CRIME ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PARTICULAR DRUG?

>> I THINK IT'S OBVIOUS.

NATURE OF DRUG.

NEUROLOGICAL SORT OF COMPONENT AND HOW THEY'RE ABLE TO JUST NOT REALLY FEEL SOMETIMES I THINK.

THAT'S WHAT I HEAR.

WHEN WE TALK.

WE HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH INDIVIDUAL.

WHO DRUG OF CHOICE IS METH.

THEY FEEL STRONG AND MIGHTY.

DON'T FEEL ANYTHING.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THE VIOLENT CRIMES, EVERYBODY IS VIOLENT.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

IF YOU'RE USER, OF METH, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BE VIOLENT.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT PRESENTATION.

BUT IT'S THE ONES THAT WE SEE THAT END UP IN JAIL AND PRISON.

THAT ARE VIOLENT.

IT'S CONNECTED TO ICE.

>>Yunji: THIS IS A QUESTION FOR MAJOR.

ARE YOU FINDING METH AT HOMELESSNESS CAMPS AROUND THE STATE OR IS IT EVERYWHERE?

>> IT'S EVERYWHERE.

YEAH.

WE ARE FINDING IT IN SOME CAMPS.

LIKE I SAID, WE COULD GO BLOCKS AWAY FROM HERE AND FIND METH.

IT'S PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE.

WHICH IS WHY WE'RE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION.

>>Yunji: JUDGE, I KNOW THAT BUILDING ON WHAT HANNA WAS SAYING ABOUT THE FAMILIES.

HAVING THAT CONVERSATION.

I'M SURE INTERACTED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE HURT BY THIS NOT THEMSELVES DRUG USER.

HOW CAN THEY HELP FAMILY MEMBERS?

FOR SOME, I'M SURE CAN FEEL PRETTY DAUNTING.

>> YEAH.

>> A LOT OF ISSUES, YOU JUST HAVE TO WHEN THEY LOSE HOPE, YOU HAVE TO RETAIN THAT HOPE.

EVEN IF IT'S FORCED.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF DAYS, THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR LOVED ONES, IF THEY'RE LOVED ONE IS USING, GET SOME HELP.

BUT BE HONEST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

IT'S NORMAL.

FOR SOMEONE NOT TO WANT TO ADDRESS OR DENY IT NOT BELIEVE IT'S TRUE.

BE OPEN AND HONEST.

BE AS SUPPORTIVE AS YOU CAN.

BECAUSE IN THE RIGHT SITUATION, WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF SUPPORT, PEOPLE CAN SUSTAIN THEIR, GET INTO RECOVERY AND SUSTAIN THE RECOVERY.

IT MAY NOT FEEL LIKE IT AT TIMES I'M SURE.

AND IN SOME OF BEHAVIORS ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE SUBSTANCE ABUSER, PARTICULARLY METHAMPHETAMINE, REALLY DIFFICULT BEHAVIORS.

RELATIONSHIPS GET RUINED.

BUT SORT OF THERE IS HOPE IN THE RIGHT SETTING, RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.

DON'T GIVE UP.

>>Yunji: WE TALKED ABOUT PEOPLE WHO USE THIS AND ARE SORT OF FUNCTIONAL.

AT LEAST FOR A TIME.

SO PAUL GOT A QUESTION KIND OF BUILDING ON THAT.

WHAT ARE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS LONGTERM THAT METH HAS ON THE BRAIN?

IF YOU'RE ABLE TO USE METH AND KEEP A JOB OR KEEP A FAMILY, WHAT IS THAT DOING TO YOU OVER TIME EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU MIGHT NOT BE AFFECTED AT THE MOMENT?

>> I THINK EXCELLENT QUESTION.

TO PUT IT INTO NONSCIENTIFIC TERMS, LONGTERM METHAMPHETAMINE USE CAN RESULT IN SOMETHING VERY SIMILAR TO SCHIZOPHRENIA.

SO I MEAN, AS FAR BACK AS 90s, DOING STUDIES ON THE IMPACTS OF METHAMPHETAMINE USE ON THE BRAIN.

AND ESSENTIALLY, JUST CARVES HOLES IN YOUR BRAIN.

SO THOSE ARE THE LONGTERM IMPACTS.

>> ASSOCIATED, ALSO SOME THE OTHER ASSOCIATED ONES ARE DETERIORATION OF YOUR TEETH AND MUSCULAR DETERIORATION.

>>Yunji: HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE TO ACTUALLY PRESENT?

>> RANGES FROM AROUND PROBABLY, I DON'T KNOW, PROBABLY AROUND 5 YEARS.

DEPENDS ON THE SEVERITY OF USE AND REGULARITY OF THE USE.

WITHIN FIVE YEARS, START TO SEE SOME OF THOSE IMPACTS.

EASILY.

WITHIN FIVE YEARS.

>>Yunji: ONLY HAVE FEW MINUTES LEFT.

WANT TO GIVE YOU OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE US FINAL THOUGHT.

START WITH YOU.

IF YOU COULD JUST TELL US WHAT WE AS A COMMUNITY SHOULD BE DOING TO HELP ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

>> WELL, FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE, ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN GIVE US WITH INFORMATION ON PEOPLE YOU MAY SUSPECT OR HOUSE LIKE WAS MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT YOU SUSPECT DRUG USE OR DRUG TRAFFICKING LET US KNOW ABOUT IT.

WE TAKE EVERY COMPLAINT SERIOUS.

>>Yunji: JUDGE, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL THE COMMUNITY?

WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COMMUNITY FOR THIS?

>> WELL, WORK TOGETHER.

COLLABORATE.

IT TRULY DOES TAKE, SAYING, YOU'RE PUBLIC SAFETY, PUBLIC HEALTH.

JUST EVERYBODY KIND OF FIGURE OUT WAYS TO CONTINUE TO COLLABORATE.

THAT'S WHAT DRUG COURTS TO DOES OR COLLABORATIVE COURT.

EFFECTIVE.

SO I THINK THAT MODEL.

HAS TO BE A MULTIFACETED APPROACH WHEN EVERYBODY KIND OF DOES THEIR PART AND KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT.

BECAUSE IT'S ENDEMIC AS I SAID BEFORE.

>>Yunji: LET'S HEAR FROM YOU.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, I WANT TO USE THIS AS A PLATFORM TO NOT REALLY LOOK AT THE NEGATIVITY WHAT THE ADDICTION IS ALL ABOUT.

BUT JUST REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE AND SAYING IF YOU NEED HELP, HELP IS OUT THERE.

>>Yunji: YEAH.

WHEN YOU WANT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, HOW DO YOU ACTUALLY START THAT?

>> JUST ASK THE QUESTION.

I JUST BASICALLY SAY, HOW ARE YOU DOING IN HOW THINGS GOING IS THIS USUALLY, YOU'LL START, THEY WILL TELL YOU I'M USING DRUGS.

BUT YOU'LL GET SLOWLY HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEM AND FIGURE OUT REALLY WHAT'S GOING ON.

I'M GOING TO SAY, WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN TREATMENT.

THAT THERE IS HOPE FOR INDIVIDUALS.

IF THEY NEED THE HELP, JUST CALL.

CALL US.

>>Yunji: EDDIE, TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMUNITY TO REALLY HELP.

I THINK SOME PEOPLE WATCHING TONIGHT MAY THINK THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYONE USES THIS DRUG AND DOESN'T REALLY AFFECT THEM.

>> I WOULD ARGUE THAT MOST PEOPLE IN HAWAII DO KNOW SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND METHAMPHETAMINE.

WORK TOGETHER.

SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SUPPORT THE PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORT.

FOR ME, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL I THINK IS IF WE AS A SOCIETY CAN GIVE UP ON IDEA THAT WE'RE GOING TO FIND A SILVER BULLET ANSWER.

THESE ARE COMPLEX ISSUES.

WE NEED COMPLEX SYSTEMS.

AND RESPONSIVE SYSTEMS.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE MULTIFACETED APPROACHES.

AND WE ALSO NEED TO START LOOKING AT THIS REALLY, I MEAN WE TALK ABOUT IT AS A DISEASE.

BUT WE OFTEN DON'T TREAT IT AS A DISEASE.

WE DON'T TREAT IT, OFTEN STILL KIND OF BRING THAT STIGMA TO PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THIS DISEASE.

>>Yunji: IS IT A MATTER OF HAVING MORE COMPASSION WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TREATING, AS DISEASE, WHAT DO YOU MEAN.

>> MATTER OF HAVING COMPASSION.

ALSO THINK IT'S A MATTER OF US REALLY KIND OF CHALLENGING OUR OWN PARADIGMS, BOTH INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A SYSTEM.

WOULD WE REALLY KICK SOMEBODY OUT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR DOING THE VERY THING THAT LIKE JUDGE WAS TALKING ABOUT, RELAPSE IS PART OF THE PROCESS.

SO DO WE KICK PEOPLE OUT OR KICK THEM TO THE CURB IN WOULD WE DO THAT FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAD DIABETES AND WERE EATING TOO MUCH CANDY?

WE WOULDN'T.

MEDICAL SYSTEM TREATS PEOPLE WITH THOSE KIND OF DISEASES.

>> A LOT DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DO.

PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE OF ADDICTION.

JUST CONTINUING TO CHALLENGE OUR PARADIGM.

CONTINUING TO HAVE PEOPLE CHALLENGE THEIR PARADIGMS AND LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT, JUST REACH OUT FOR HELP AND LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.

SOME MORE.

>>Yunji: OKAY.

MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT – AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS SENIOR FAMILY COURT JUDGE MATTHEW VIOLA, CEO OF THE BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL HANNAH PRESTON PITA, MAJOR PHILIP JOHNSON FROM THE HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND EDWARD MERSEREAU, ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE DIVISION.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, IT’S BEING CALLED THE “GREAT RESIGNATION.” EMPLOYERS ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT RETURNING TO THE WORKFORCE FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

JOIN US FOR COVID 19: HELP WANTED.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I, ALOHA!