Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Musings: Fueled by Fear

It’s ironic that the county, which feeds people’s fears through press releases like the one published today on the results of “green harvest” — replete with a photo of two rusty pig traps supposedly planted as “booby traps” to protect a cannabis crop — is now having to contend with people’s fears about a youth drug treatment facility in Lihue.

In fact, folks are so fearful about the prospect that young kids would be trying to kick drugs — not use drugs, not sell drugs, not make drugs, but get OFF drugs — in the proximity of their neighborhood that they staged sidewalk protests.

They are so fearful that were willing to reveal their cold, callous ignorance by being photographed with a sign that read “no treatment center here” — so fearful that they were willing to spend hours of their time attending a meeting last night because their fears hadn’t been fully addressed and they wanted to make sure their fears were heard.

For decades they’ve heard the county drug czars, politicians and cops talk about the scourge of illegal drugs, the “ongoing battle,” to use the words of Police Chief Darryl Perry, against drugs. Is it any surprise they don’t want any aspect of “the war” in their neighborhood?

For decades they’ve heard lurid tales about how desperate addicts will go to any lengths to score, seen a procession of people arrested for crimes associated with their drug use, been told over and over again that these folks are the dregs of society, deserving only of harsh punishment and isolation. Is it any surprise that they don’t want addicts living near their homes?

Never mind that they, themselves, might have medicine chests stocked with the valium and vicodin, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs that help them through the day. They don’t see themselves as addicts or users because their addictions are legal, sanctioned by doctors and covered by insurance so they don’t have to forge checks and steal to get their fix.

And besides, they’re the supposedly upstanding members of society — so upstanding, in fact, that they're lobbying to prevent kids, the most vulnerable segment of our society, from getting help because of a selfish, fear-based NIMBY attitude.

What’s so irrational about all this is that they’re willing to have toxic gas stations and emissions-spewing cars traveling on Kuhio Highway in the proximity of their homes, a drug-loaded hospital, a crap-filled big box store. They’re willing to live downwind of the airport and pesticide-drenched GMO crops. But they draw the line at a house full of supervised kids trying to achieve the sobriety that may keep them out of jail, give them a chance to live a full life.

Fear is a very powerful weapon. And as the police chief and county drug czar and mayor strive to overcome public opposition for this long overdue treatment center, they’re looking down the barrel of a gun that they helped load.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The county should build it by the prison in Wailua away from communities and within site of the jail. That should appease community NIMBY-ism but be within close proximity to amenities.

Anonymous said...

the prison is in a flood zone, so that is a non-starter. also the whole point is to not make these kids feel like criminals, so that is why the 'residential' setting. putting it by the jail would send them the message that they are criminals simply for being addicted.

Anonymous said...

Let's not forget the obvious, druggies already exist in Isenberg & neighboring subdivisions.
But these adults have no room in their hearts for our kids who are trying to find their way out of a life of drugs.

Some of these people on the front page of tgi partake of their own drug of choice, alcohol but cus its sanctioned by our society they can adapt this holier than thou attitude. Shame da ignorance and lack of aloha.

Anonymous said...

Give Isenberg tract the dump and let Hanamaulu take the drug treatment center.

Anonymous said...

They should build it on ag land and get the kids back in touch with the Earth. Teach them a trade and give them a sense of purpose. Its better than having vacation rentals on it.

Anonymous said...

TO: July 27, 2011 1:35 PM

"They should build it on ag land and get the kids back in touch with the Earth. Teach them a trade and give them a sense of purpose. Its better than having vacation rentals on it."

You my friend are a winner!
That is an example of using oneʻs God given brain.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if Grove Farm could squeeze it out of their tight asses to contribute some of the stolen Kingdom land to this project.

Anonymous said...

When did we declare the war on drugs? 1980's? After all these years you can tell the winners (drug cartels, corporations that run privatized prisons, bikers cooking meth and other all around decent folk) from the losers (taxpayers footing the bill for a never-ending, seemingly futile endeavor among them) and all I want is the freedom to do what boozers do all day (well, some of them do) every day with some herb. Wassamattawidat?

Anonymous said...

"They should build it on ag land and get the kids back in touch with the Earth. Teach them a trade and give them a sense of purpose. Its better than having vacation rentals on it."

You my friend are a winner!
That is an example of using oneʻs God given brain.

July 27, 2011 3:07 PM

so you want to use ag land - special permit or zoning change? what type of vesting rights would such a change in ag land produce?future expansion? who is the land owner? what are their long range plans for the area? generous or tactical?

Anonymous said...

The druggy kiddies of today will be the druggy criminals roaming your nice neighborhood in the future and ripping you off.

It is obvious people do not understand the "drug problem" Why kids and teens begin taking drugs, why they continue, and how to prevent and treat the problem.

People react with NMBY and not their Hearts, nor with any foresight....and without Aloha...and the so called Christians on this island...not "What would Jesus do?"

Sometimes I feel that there is no hope and maybe it's better that the human race is headed for extinction. We are our own worse enemies.

Dr Shibai

Anonymous said...

Silly Strawman argument.

People aren't afraid because it's a drug rehab center. They're afraid because those put there are in for committing dozens of burglaries to pay for the drugs. People don't want criminals in a lightly guarded facility feet from their home.

It still needs to be built and the location is fine with me, but those nearby aren't as crazy as you make out.

Anonymous said...

That's BS. They have not committed dozens of burglaries before they get there. Besides, if they're in rehab, they don't need to steal to get $ for drugs, dummy. More scare tactics!! Oh and FYI, not all drug users steal.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't want a drug rehab center within 20 miles of my house.

Anonymous said...

Citizens in the USA have more prescriptions per capita for anti-psychotic drugs than any country in the world so it looks like the psychos on drugs are under a mass delusion that a drug center is a threat. If you are afeared please take your meds -- A public service message from Big Pharma and the American Psychological Assn.

Anonymous said...

Why don't we have the drug rehab center in Hanalei or Kukui'ula?