Problem: Methamphetamine Epidemic in Hawaii
-Examine this problem that you have selected from a historical perspective. Look at its manifestations over time, by analyzing the problem from its origins to the present.
-Please answer each of the following areas in a 4 page paper:
- At what point or period in time was this issue identified and defined as a social problem?
- By whom (person, persons, groups, institutions) was it identified?
- What roles have values and societal institutional arrangements (family, community, religion, marketplace, workplace, social welfare) played in the definition of the problem?
- How have these factors influenced our understanding of the problem?
- What is the scope of the problem, and what population(s) is (are) affected by the problem?
- In what ways is the problem impacted by culture, socioeconomics, societal values, race, ethnicity, sex, power or lack of power, etc? This section is where you will demonstrate your ability to assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.
- What has been the response to the problem throughout history? Discuss at least two policies designed to remedy the social problem.
History of Methamphetamines in Hawaii
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History of Methamphetamines in Hawaii
Introduction
Methamphetamine belongs to a family of drugs called amphetamines. It is a powerful stimulant that works by speeding up the central nervous system. The drug has been used medically for the treatment of obesity and attention/hyperactivity disorder (NDIC, 2002). The crystal Methamphetamine resembles glass fragments. In that regard, this paper intends to describe the history of methamphetamine in Hawaii to understand the origin of the problem and responses that have been put in place over time to counter its effects.
At what point or period in time was this issue identified and defined as a social problem?
Crystal Methamphetamines (Meth) first came to Hawaii in the 1980s. The drug was first transported to the shores of Hawaii through the Asian market before it was openly used on the mainland. During that time, Methamphetamine was known as the poor man’s cocaine (HPR, 2016). During that time, Methamphetamines were cheaper and yet could make people just as high as when they used normal cocaine. Therefore, Hawaii could be the pioneer of Methamphetamine abuse before the mainland. Traditional Asian transporters of crystal methamphetamine were primarily Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese criminal groups (NDIC, 2002). These were the initial transporters who first made the drug available in Hawaii.
Mexican criminal groups later replaced traditional Asian criminal groups as the primary transporters of methamphetamine. Law enforcement officials report that Mexican criminal groups transport methamphetamine into Hawaii from the West Coast, primarily California (HPR, 2016). The drug was defined as a social problem in the early 1990s. During this time, the law enforcement authorities in Hawaii prohibited and dismantled many of the large Asian, primarily Korean, criminal groups that dominated the transportation of crystal methamphetamine into Hawaii from Asia.
By whom (person, persons, groups, institutions) was it identified?
The introduction of methamphetamine in Hawaii is identified with the so-called Asian Transporters/criminal groups. As stated in the previous sections, the Asian criminal groups were transported to the shores of Hawaii through the Asian market before it was openly used on the mainland (Narconon International, 2022). The Asian transporters included Korean, Japanese, Filipino, and Vietnamese criminal groups. The Mexican criminal groups later joined the transportation and distribution of the drug into Hawaii. Both the Mexican and Asian criminal groups continue to supply the Meth detail distributors in Hawaii (Narconon International, 2022). Another group identified with methamphetamine in Hawaii includes street gangs, who are used by the transporters to distribute methamphetamine to retail sellers.
What roles have values and societal institutional arrangements (family, community, religion, marketplace, workplace, social welfare) played in the definition of the problem?
Society has plaid a significant role in shaping the problem. Society is wide and entails different small and major groups performing various functions. Some of these social groups have fostered and promoted the problem, while some have tried to reduce, diminish, and eradicate the problem (Avendano, 2019). For example, the local authorities played a role in trying to solve the problem by dismantling the Asian and Mexican criminal groups. However, society played a bigger role in creating the problem. For instance, the local retailers helped in distributing the drug to the community. Additionally, methamphetamine is produced locally in Hawaii by local independent operators. Youth in Hawaii have supported the use of methamphetamine and it is consumed more among young adults and adolescents (Avendano, 2019). Furthermore, some groups of elite people have supported Meth abuse in the state. Judge Edward Kubo says that crystal methamphetamine is a gift to the nation. He supports it and promotes it indirectly.
How have these factors influenced our understanding of the problem?
Based on the contributing factors identified above, one can easily understand that a few individuals and some groups in society are responsible for the problem. However, it could be possible to make a general conclusion that society is responsible for the spread of the problem across the state of Hawaii (Avendano, 2019). The issue of methamphetamine is perceived as a social problem due to the side effects it causes. For example, it might lead to increased heartbeat, confusion, damaged teeth, reduced immunity, and others. However, the youths who are exposed to these health risks are still in support of the drug (Avendano, 2019). Understandably, this is a societal problem that requires public education and stricter policy to manage.
What is the scope of the problem, and what population(s) is (are) affected by the problem?
Methamphetamine is a problem and concern in the entire state of Hawaii. According to Avendano (2019). the number of deaths in Hawaii associated with methamphetamine use increased sharply between 2009 and 2018. In the year 2018, 147 people died from fatal poisoning that involved methamphetamines. Meth-related deaths in Hawaii have outnumbered those related to opioids since 2015. About 70% of people who died from methamphetamine between 2012 and 2016 were men between the ages of 45 and 64 years (Avendano, 2019). Methamphetamine is the most abused drug in Hawaii, followed by marijuana, alcohol secondary drug, alcohol, heroin, and others respectively. The annual fatality per capita rate is nearly three times the national meth fatality rate per capita (Avendano, 2019). Several ommunities in Oahu, including Ewa Beach, Kalihi, Waianae, and Waipahu are the most effected.
In what ways is the problem impacted by culture, socioeconomics, societal values, race, ethnicity, sex, power or lack of power, etc.
Methamphetamine is culturally acceptable in Hawaii and seen as normal to abuse. The People of Hawaii have made methamphetamine part and parcel of their lives. This situation has promoted the use of the drug in Hawaii. In terms of ethnicity, meth abuse is more common among American Indian and Alaska Native individuals (Han et al., 2021). African Americans also experience significant cases of Meth misuse. Methamphetamine is readily available cheaply in Hawaii, hence, it is more common among people of low socioeconomic status. Furthermore, the drug was initially associated with low socioeconomic societies, hence the name poor man’s cocaine (Han et al., 2021). The rates of death are high among men than women, hence, more men abuse meth than women.
What has been the response to the problem throughout history? Discuss at least two policies designed to remedy the social problem.
In response to the problem, the state of Hawaii has put in place several measures to try to reduce the rate of meth abuse in Hawaii. In 2006, the Hawaiian legislature passed a law, signed by Governor Linda Lingle, to clean up meth labs in Hawaii (the State of Hawaii, 2022). Act 170, Relating to Decontamination of Illegal Drug Manufacturing Sites provided guidelines for decontaminating and cleaning up illegal clandestine (clan) meth manufacturing sites as well as the protection of the State’s first responder community (the State of Hawaii, 2022). Another policy is that the Hawaii state police department had been in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Agency, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the state of Hawaii Prosecutor’s office have formed an ice task force to identify, arrest, and prosecute ice dealers (the State of Hawaii, 2022). Although meth is still a problem in Hawaii, these policies restricted its use to a certain extent.
Conclusion
Methamphetamine is a social problem in Hawaii. The drug exists in both crystal and powder forms. Crystal Methamphetamines were first introduced in Hawaii in the 1980s by the Asian transporters, also called Asian criminal groups. Society has a responsibility to play in reducing meth incidents. It is impacted by several social factors. Hawaii has put in place policies to reduce the rate of meth use in the state.
References
Avendano, E. (2019). Meth Deaths Soar in Hawaii Even as Opioids Grab Public Attention. https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/11/meth-deaths-soar-in-hawaii-even-as-opioids-grab-public-attention/
Hawaii Public Radio (HPR). (2016). Hawaii’s Ice Epidemic: How Did We Get Here? https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/hawai%CA%BBis-new-ice-age-crystal-meth-in-the-islands/2016-05-26/hawaiis-ice-epidemic-how-did-we-get-here
Han, B., Cotto, J., Etz, K., Einstein, E. B., Compton, W. M., & Volkow, N. D. (2021). Methamphetamine overdose deaths in the US by sex and race and ethnicity. JAMA psychiatry, 78(5), 564-567. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2774859
Narconon International. (2022). How Did Hawaii Become the Meth Capital of the U.S. and How Can We Help? https://www.narconon.org/blog/how-did-hawaii-is-meth-capital-and-how-can-we-help.html