A way to fight 'ice'
Editor:
There is a rapist running amok on the Big Island. Crystal methamphetamine, "ice," is raping our families, our communities and our islands. This drug is not prejudiced. It wants you regardless of the color of your skin, your educational background, your profession, your religious or political affiliations or your age. Ice is cunningly sly and deceitful and a clever seductress. It has no boundaries.

On Oct.. 14, PA'I - People Against Ice - Kona chapter, held its first town hall meeting at Konawaena High School cafeteria. Special guest speaker was Gary Shimabukuro of Laulima. His eye-opening presentation was a real wake up call for all of those in attendance. We were reminded that "ice" is one of the major factors involved in most crimes in our state and that its use has caused children to turn against their parents and parents to turn against their children, often leading to the death of those we hold dearest. The statistics of death and abuse involving persons committing these outrageous crimes are ghastly as the numbers continue to grow.

I would like to thank all who made the meeting a success. The only way to win the battle against drugs is to have every organization and every person within our communities join hands as one to slap drugs out of Hawaii. The mission of PA'I is to aid our community in setting up Ohana Support Groups which allow for the healing of our families. It's all about people helping people. To learn more about ohana support groups call 987-4510 or e-mail paikona@hawaii.rr.com

New drug support group offers alternative

By Vicky Jocson
West Hawaii Today
Monday, Jul 26, 2004
No doctors. No 12-step programs. Just addicts and their loved ones talking story. PA'I, or People Against Ice, is a drug support group in Kailua-Kona that allows recovering addicts to share their problems involving anything from alcohol to crystal methamphetamine (ice). Meetings are open to the public, allowing family members and friends to attend in order to give their support, said Chris Matsuoka, founder of PA'I and mother of two recovering addicts. Loved ones of addicts may attend if they have any questions, need advice or are want to learn signs that someone is using drugs. "At NA and AA, the first thing they wanted to know was my drug or drink of choice. People shy away from those who aren't addicts. But here, you don't have to be an addict to click," Matsuoka said. There are no other programs like this on the island, said Paul Wallace, host of the meetings. "There are lot of people suffering that don't like 12 steps, who need a place to converse with other people trying to get off drugs," Wallace said. Wallace, who has been clean for three years after being addicted to ice for 20 years, never attended a rehab program and said he felt like a "sore thumb" in other support groups. But in PA'I, he feels more comfortable. "A lot of members do go to other groups, but here they feel relaxed and not so uptight," he said. The group is fairly small, usually composed of four to eight people. The intimacy allows members to talk longer.# The only rule they have is anonymity. "You can vent and say anything you want to say but it stays in the meeting. You don't take it home," Matsuoka said. PA'I, which opened a month ago, is a run-off from a Captain Cook support group referred to as Sid's, which has been operating for five years and attracts members from as far away as Honokaa. Matsuoka, who had been attending Sid's for two years, suggested a group be established in Kailua-Kona. "Everything they were saying (at Sid's) was what I was going through with my sons. I started to heal and I said to myself, 'Oh my God, this works.' If it can help me, it can help other people," she said. There are no trained professionals or doctors facilitating the meetings. Instead, they rely on each other for help and encouragement. "Even after you quit, you still struggle. The sharing really does soothe the soul and helps you from going back," Wallace said. Matsuoka said it took an addict in recovery, not a doctor, to tell her why her kids were attracted to the drug. The group, which is court approved, goes to drug court every Monday to show support. Members also visit the homes of recovering addicts to inform the families of what is happening. "I don't advise anyone to quit on their own. This group has helped me tremendously. You have to completely change your whole life, quit all your friends. To have support from a group like this has helped me stay off it as long as it has," Wallace said. People Against Ice - PA'I is open to people of all ages and is free of cost. - The group meets 7:30 p.m. every Friday at Neighborhood Place in Kailua-Kona. - Call Matsuoka at 987-4510 or Wallace at 640-8388 for more information.

MAHALO LETTERS

Aloha,
I am a teacher here at Honoka`a High and Intermediate and I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to come talk to our students. Our community has been heavily bombarded by the ice epidemic. I have taught at this school for ten years and have seen first hand what ice has done to many of our students and their families. In many cases, it is the parents that are using and the keiki that are suffering. I thank you for sharing with us and I do appreciate that it takes a lot of courage to do so. I feel this really makes a difference for them to see first hand what this drug can do to your life. I am sure that you've reached many children through your presntation. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do hope that maybe you could come again towards the end of the year as I know there were many teachers that would've wanted to bring their students but were unable as it was the last day of the semester, and had to give exams.
Best wishes.
Mahalo,
Alison Simmerman

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