5/18/23 The Growing Fentanyl Crisis in Hawaiʻi

>> HAWAI'I IS NOT IMMUNE TO THE FENTANYL EPIDEMIC THAT IS PLAGUING THE COUNTRY.

LAST YEAR THE SYNTHETIC OPIOID KILLED A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE ISLANDS ACCORDING TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

AND IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.

IT IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS A LARGE CROSS SECTION OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AS WE DISCUSS THE GROWING FENTANYL CRISIS HERE AT HOME NEXT INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I.

>> Lauren: ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I...I'M LAUREN DAY.

FENTANYL IS A POWER SYNTHETIC OPIOID THAT IS 50 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN HEROINE AND IT'S EASIER TO ACCESS.

THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS EVERY PART OF THE STATE.

FROM HAWAI'I ISLAND TO KAUA'I AND FROM MAUI COUNTY TO HONOLULU, ALL ISLANDS HAVE REPORTED FENTANYL RELATED DEATHS IN 2022.

AND THE PROBLEM IS IMPACTING EVERY PART OF OUR SOCIETY.

LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, A 14 YEAR OLD ON HAWAI'I ISLAND LOST HER LIFE DUE TO A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

AND SYNTHETIC OPIOID RELATED ARRESTS CONTINUE TO RISE.

SO WHERE ARE THESE DRUGS COMING FROM?

WHY IS FENTANYL ABUSE ON RISE?

AND CAN WE DO ABOUT IT?

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

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN 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.

HEATHER LUSK IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HAWAI'I HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION CENTER.

SHE HAS MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WORKING TO REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND STIGMA RELATING TO CHRONIC CONDITIONS LINKED TO SUBSTANCE USE.

SHE IS ALSO A BOARD MEMBERS ON O'AHU'S HOMELESS COALITION.

DR. KEVIN KUNZ IS A PHYSICIAN IN KONA ON HAWAI'I ISLAND.

HE HELPED TO FOUND A GROUP CALLED THE AMERICAN BOARD OF ADDICTION MEDICINE WHICH LED TO ADDICTION MEDICINE BEING RECOGNIZED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF MEDICAL SPECIALTIES.

HE RECIEVED BOTH HIS MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEGREES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA.

KIMO ALAMEDA IS A PSYCHOLOGIST IN HILO ON HAWAI'I ISLAND.

HE IS THE HEAD OF THE HAWAI'I ISLAND FENTANYL TASK FORCE WHICH DISTRIBUTES NARCAN, A LIFE SAVING TREAMENT THAT REVERSES THE EFFECTS OF AN OVERDOSE.

HE ALSO SERVES AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF HAWAI'I ISLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER.

AND FOR ASHLEE RAPPÖ THIS SUBJECT HITS CLOSE TO HOME.

SHE TRAGICALLY LOST HER SON, JOSHUA, TO A FENTANYL-RELATED OVERDOSE WHEN HE WAS ONLY 18 YEARS OLD.

SHE IS ALSO IN RECOVERY FOR SUBSTANCE USE.

ASHLEY, FIRST OF ALL, I'M SO SORRY.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT ANY OF US CAN SAY TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN YOUR SHOES.

AS MUCH AS YOU ARE COMFORTABLE TONIGHT, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR SON JOSHUA AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO BE HERE TONIGHT AND PUBLICLY SPEAK ABOUT IT.

>> MY SON WAS 18.

HE -- HE WAS -- I MEAN, TO ME JUST STARTING HIS LIFE, BUT HE DECIDED TO GET INTO THE WRONG CROWD.

HE WAS DRINKING, PARTYING A LOT WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND SMOKING WEED AND SEEING IT PROBABLY WHILE HE WAS GROWING UP, TOO, WITH ME LOSING -- LOSING LIKE -- PHYSICALLY LOSING ME, BUT LOSING ME EMOTIONALLY FROM DRUGS AND FROM BEING IN PRISON AND THINGS LIKE THAT FED IT, I BELIEVE.

FED THE MORE FINDING MORE OF AN ACCEPTANCE.

AND I -- I KNEW HE PARTIED, HE DID ALL OF THAT, AND IT TRAGICALLY HAPPENED TO WHERE FENTANYL CAME IN AND TOOK HIS LIFE.

HE WAS THE MOST LOVEABLE BIG TEDDY BEAR, BIG LAUGH, CONTAGIOUS LAUGH, AND THIS FENTANYL, LIKE, IS NO JOKE.

YOU KNOW, LIKE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE THAT STUFF WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, OR MAYBE THEY DID OR IT WASN'T AS ACCESSIBLE.

IT WAS LIKE, OH, LET'S TRY THIS OR I GOT TO BE SCARED IF I'M GOING TO SMOKE SOME WEED IF IT'S IN THERE.

THERE'S SO MUCH RISK NOW DAYS THAT IT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO -- THERE NEEDS TO BE PREVENTION.

THERE NEEDS TO BE THINGS THAT GET TARGETED BECAUSE AN 18-YEAR-OLD BOY JUST STARTING HIS LIFE AND NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO LIVE BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY -- NOBODY KNOWS WHERE IT'S COMING FROM.

THEY KNOW HOW TO PREVENT IT OR STOP IT BUT IT'S STILL GOING TO HAPPEN.

KIDS ARE STILL GOING TO TRY THIS STUFF.

KIDS ARE STILL GOING TO BE LIKE, IT'S THERE.

HE'S OKAY.

I'M GOING TO TRY IT.

AND THAT PERSON COULD BE THE UNLUCKY ONE, YOU KNOW.

BECAUSE THERE WAS ANOTHER BOY WITH MY SON THAT THEY BOTH PARTOOK IN IT, AND SOMEBODY TRIED TO SAVE HIM WITH THE NARCAN, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S NOT MY STORY TO TELL, BUT HE DID PASS AWAY A WEEK LATER.

AND, LIKE, IT JUST GOES TO SHOW, LIKE, EVEN SOMETIMES IF THAT NARCAN ISN'T GIVEN FAST ENOUGH, YOU'RE STILL NOT GOING TO MAKE T YOU HAVE TO LEARN, YOU HAVE TO GET EDUCATED.

THIS IS SO FRESH FOR ME.

IT'S ONLY BEEN EIGHT MONTHS, BUT I FEEL LIKE THIS MIGHT BE THE START OF THE PROCESS OF HEALING BECAUSE I HAVE GOOD DAYS AND I HAVE BAD DAYS.

AND IT GETS REALLY EMPTY AND DARK IN THOSE BAD PLACES, BUT I WILL TELL YOU, LIKE, HONESTLY, THE ONLY THING THAT SAVES ME IS I HAVE A ONE-YEAR-OLD.

SO HE SAVES ME, AND I LEANED ON GOD A LOT.

BUT I DO STILL STRUGGLE MAJORLY EVERY DAY BECAUSE I AM IN RECOVERY.

I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO DRUGS, AND JUST I'LL BE REAL -- DRINKING.

I STILL DRINK HERE AND THERE TO NUMB THAT TO GET THROUGH SOMETIMES BECAUSE IT HURTS.

IT HURTS.

THERE'S SUCH AN EMPTINESS SO BEING ABLE TO SHARE, LIKE, MY STORY OR BEING ABLE TO GIVE SOMEBODY ELSE A LITTLE LIGHT OF SEEING MUCH OR THESE KIDS TO SEE HOW MUCH IT AFFECTS SOMETHING AND THEIR FAMILY.

NOBODY'S PERFECT BECAUSE I'M NOT.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

I'M NOT.

THE NEXT PERSON ISN'T.

THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE -- THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE WHERE IT COULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED OR, YOU KNOW, OR -- I DON'T KNOW.

NOT HAPPEN BUT, LIKE, WHAT IF I DID THIS.

OR WHAT IF I LISTENED.

OR LIKE FOR ME, IT WOULD BE LIKE, OKAY, IF I SHARED MY STORY, MAYBE I COULD HAVE SAVED SOMEBODY.

OR IF I SHARED, LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

BECAUSE THERE IS THAT STIGMA, LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN RECOVERY, WE DON'T WANT TO SHARE THAT I USED TO DO DRUGS.

EVEN AT MY JOB.

NONE OF THEM THAT CAN BELIEVE I DID DRUGS BECAUSE I DON'T LOOKED TYPE.

I'VE BEEN THROUGH THAT BECAUSE IT'S THE STIGMA.

THIS CERTAIN KIND OF PERSON.

AND YOU CAN'T BE THE PERSON YOU ARE TODAY BECAUSE -- YOU KNOW, SO THERE IS HOPE TO GET OUT OF IT ALSO.

>>Lauren: AND I THINK THE STIGMA IS SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT OVER THE NEXT 40, 50 MINUTES OR SO.

I'LL SEE IF SOMEONE CAN BRING IN SOME KLEENEX BECAUSE, ASHLEY, WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE HEARING FROM YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE.

DR. KUNZ, CAN YOU FIRST TELL US WHAT IS FENTANYL, AND WHAT DOES IT DO TO THE BODY?

>> FENTANYL IS IN A CLASS OF DRUGS CALLED OPIOIDS.

OPIOIDS GO TO THE OPIOID RECEPTOR IN THE HUMAN BRAIN.

MOST OF US KNOW THAT WHERE ENDORPHINS WOULD NORMALLY GO.

SO IF YOU'RE RUNNING A MARATHON OR EXERCISING OR GOING TO THE PROM, YOUR ENDORPHINS GET UP AND YOU FEEL GOOD.

BY A COINCIDENCE OF NATURE, THE CLASS OF DRUGS OPIATES, WHETHER IT'S FROM A PRESCRIPTION FROM A MEDICAL PROVIDER OR A STREET, THEY GO TO THAT SAME RECEPTOR.

SO WHY RUN A MARATHON?

WHY GET DRESSED UP FOR THE PROM?

JUST GET SOME OPIATES.

SO TODAY, HOWEVER, FENTANYL BEING SO POWERFUL, A TINY LITTLE BIT CAN KILL.

AND REALLY, WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW THEY'RE TAKING IT.

INSTANCES OF YOUNG PEOPLE SMOKING A CANNABIS JOINT THAT IS LACED WITH FENTANYL THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAN THOSE THAT HAVE ONGOING ADDICTION.

THEY STARTED USING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL AT A YOUNG AGE AND KEEP GOING FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND DECADES.

SO THESE OPIATES OF WHICH FENTANYL IS THE STRONGEST AVAILABLE ARE DANGEROUS, AND EVEN THOUGH WE TALK ABOUT METHAMPHETAMINE BEING THE BIGGEST PROBLEM, METHAMPHETAMINE DOESN'T KILL LIKE FENTANYL.

METHAMPHETAMINE BRINGS PEOPLE INTO POLICE ATTENTION.

IT BRINGS PEOPLE TO THE EMERGENCY ROOMS.

IT'S GOT A LOT OF RAH-DA-DA.

THERE'S A LOT OF ACTION BUT DOESN'T KILL LIKE FENTANYL.

AND FENTANYL IS NOW KILLING OUR YOUTH.

>>Lauren: ARE THERE ANY LEGITIMATE MEDICAL REASONS TO USE FENTANYL FOR?

>> YES.

ALMOST EVERYONE WHO HAS A SURGERY PROBABLY GETS FENTANYL MEDICALLY FOR ANESTHESIA OR PAIN AFTERWARDS.

THIS IS NOT THE FENTANYL WE SEE TODAY IN HAWAI'I.

IT IS NO LONGER DIVERTED FROM THE MEDICAL WORLD BECAUSE IT'S EASY TO GET FROM ILLICITLY MADE FENTANYL THAT PRECURSOR SUBSTANCES COME FROM CHINA TOO MEXICO.

MEXICO COOKS IT UP, AND IT GOES TO THE BORDER AND IT'S NOT MIGRANTS BRINGING IT OVER.

IT'S AMERICANS BRINGING IT OVER.

IT'S AN EXTREMELY HIGH PROFIT MOTIVE.

SO THIS IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF USING FENTANYL.

>>Lauren: I THINK WE HEAR ABOUT THIS CRISIS HAPPENING IN MAJOR CITIES -- CHICAGO, LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK.

YOU THINK OF HAWAI'I, FOR MOST PEOPLE, IT'S PARADISE, ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS WHO AREN'T FROM HERE.

KIMO, CAN YOU PAINT THE PICTURE?

HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS OUR FENTANYL PROBLEM ON THE BIG ISLAND AND ACROSS THE STATE?

>> SURE.

ONE PERSON EVERY 11 DAYS ARE DYING FROM AN OVERDOSE.

MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THAT DRUG FENTANYL.

AND IT'S GROWING.

ONE PERSON EVERY 36 HOURS IS ON OUR WEBSITE, IN THE STATE IS DYING.

BUT FIVE YEARS AGO, WE GOT TO UPDATE OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S ONE PERSON EVERY 27 HOURS IN THE STATE DYING MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH FENTANYL.

IT'S A PROBLEM.

IT IS HERE.

ONE THING I SHARE WITH FOLKS IS THE PACIFIC OCEAN SEPARATES US FROM THE CONTINENT SO IT GIVES US TIME TO PREPARE BECAUSE ON THE CONTINENT, IT'S REALLY BAD.

YET IT'S HERE AND NOW IT'S GROWING, AND IT'S GROWING VERY FAST.

THE ALARM IS UP AND WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED.

>>Lauren: TELL US WHAT THE HAWAI'I ISLAND FENTANYL TASK FORCE DOES AND YOUR ROLE.

>> I'M THE FENTANYL TASK FOR LEAD.

OUR COUNTY IS PROBABLY THE ONLY COUNTY IN THE STATE THAT HAS A TASK FORCE THAT'S ADDRESSING IT FROM ALL ANGLES.

WE MEET WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, EMTS, WE MEET WITH PROVIDERS.

WE HAD A SUBMIT LAST WEEK.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL.

WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLAN.

WHAT WE DO IS TRY TO COMBAT THIS FROM TWO WAYS.

THERE'S TWO WAYS TO SOLVE THIS.

ONE, DECREASE THE SUPPLY AND LET THE POLICE AND HOMELAND SECURITY, FBI, THEY'RE WORKING HARD AND ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

YET, THEY ONLY CAN TACKLE 15% OF THE PROBLEM.

STILL THERE'S 85% OF THE DRUGS STILL BEING ON OUR ISLAND.

SO THEN SECOND APPROACH IS DECREASE THE DEMAND.

THAT'S PREVENTION, EDUCATION.

WE'RE IN THE SCHOOLS.

WE WANT KIDS TO KNOW DRUGS MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD UNTIL THEY DON'T.

RIGHT.

YOU CAN GO FROM, I LIKE IT TO I WANT IT TO I NEED IT.

WHEN YOU'RE IN I NEED IT, YOU'RE STUCK.

WE CALL THAT ADDICTION.

GETTING THE WORD OUT, PREVENTION IS SUPER IMPORTANT, AND I THINK OUR ISLAND IS DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

>>Lauren: GETTING THE WORD OUT IS WHY ALL OF YOU ARE HERE.

TO PUT THE WORD OUT AND SPEAK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY.

HEATHER, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT WHAT THE HAWAI'I HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION, WHAT YOU ALL DO AND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING TO PREVENT FENTANYL OVERDOSES ACROSS THE STATE?

>> SO THE HAWAI'I HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION CENTER WORKS WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, DISEASE LIKE HIV IN THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

SO WE WERE INVOLVED IN THE HAWAI'I OPIATE INITIATIVE IN 2017 AND ARE VERY RESPONSIBLE FOR HELPING GET THE NALOXONE ACT PASSED IN 2016, ACT 68.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF NALOXONE PROVIDED BY THE HAWAI'I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE DIVISION.

THIS IS AN AMAZING LIFE-SAVING DRUG.

WE DISTRIBUTED OVER 50,000 DOSES IN HAWAI'I SINCE 2016.

AND THIS DRUG IS SO SAFE THAT THE FDA JUST MADE IT OVER THE COUNTER.

YOU'LL START TO SEE IT OVER THE COUNTER, THIS PARTICULAR BRAND.

PROBABLY COMING IN JULY.

IT DOESN'T WORK ON OTHER SUBSTANCES.

ONLY WORKS ON OPIOID.

DOCTOR TALKED ABOUT THE OPIOID RECEPTORS.

IF THERE'S OPIOIDS IN THE RECEPTORS WILL BUMP THEM OFF AND BIND TO THE RECEPTOR TO ALLOW SOMEONE TO BREATHE AGAIN.

THAT'S THE MAJOR RISK FROM AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.

>>Lauren: WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HAND RIGHT NOW, THAT IS NARCAN?

>> YES, THIS IS NARCAN.

THE SURGEON GENERAL RECOMMENDS THAT EVERYBODY CARRIES THIS.

WHAT WE'RE HEARING IS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE THAT YOU THINK ABOUT ARE THOSE THAT LOOK LIKE THEY USE.

WE'RE SEEING IT ACROSS OUR AGE GROUPS.

IT'S A VERY SAFE DRUG.

YOU CANNOT MISUSE IT AND CANNOT GET HIGH ON IT.

IT'S NOT A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE.

IT WILL ONLY HAVE AN IMPACT IF YOU HAVE OPIOIDS IN YOUR SYSTEM.

YOU'LL BE ABLE TO BREATHE AND STAY ALIVE.

AND IF YOU HAVE OPIOID DEPENDENCE, IT WOULD PUT YOU IN WITHDRAWAL.

THE PERSON IS NO LONGER HAVING THEM.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO TO WWW.HHHRC.org.

IF YOU DO A 20-MINUTE TRAINING, WE CAN SEND YOU NALOXONE IN THE MAIL.

HAWAI'I ISLAND, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO HAWAI'I ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER AND OTHER PARTNERS.

>>Lauren: WHO WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE TO GO TO THE SITE AND TRY AND GET NARCAN.

>> WE'VE HEARD STORY OF GOOD SAMARITANS WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND USING IT.

WE KNOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN USING IT ON THEIR KUPUNA OR FAMILY MEMBERS.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO HAVE IT.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

PARTICULARLY FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS A HISTORY OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

YOUNG PEOPLE, PARENTS, BUT AGAIN, IT CAN BE FOR ANYBODY.

IT'S A VERY SAFE DRUG AND THERE'S NO HARM IF YOU'RE NOT USING OPIOIDS TO USE IT.

>> FOR SURE, WE RECOMMENDED ANYBODY WHO'S ON PAIN MEDICATION.

WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THE PHARMACIES TO BE, IF YOU GIVE SOMEBODY PAIN MEDICATION, GIVE THEM A FREE BOX OF NARCAN.

ESPECIALLY KUPUNA, FOR EXAMPLE, SOMETIMES THEY FORGET IF THEY TOOK THEIR 2:00 DOSE.

AND THEY MIGHT DOUBLE UP AT 4:00 AND NOW THEY'RE IN A SITUATION.

WITH STIMULANTS, YOUR HEART'S BEATING TWO HUNDRED TIMES A MINUTE.

AT LEAST YOU KNOW SOMETHING'S WRONG.

WITH AN OPIOID OVERDOSE, YOUR HEART BEATS 60 BEATS, 50 BEATS, 30 BEATS.

YOU THINK YOU'RE SLEEPING BUT YOU'RE DYING AND YOU CANNOT SAVE YOURSELF.

AND THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO GO TO A VIEWER QUESTION.

SOMEBODY WROTE IN ASKING, THIS VIEWER DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE ATTRACTION OF FENTANYL AND WHY PEOPLE TAKE IT.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN.

ASHLEY, MAYBE DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THIS QUESTION?

>> I CAN EXPLAIN WHY PEOPLE DO DRUGS, PERIOD.

I'M NOT TOO FAMILIAR WITH FENTANYL BUT THE DRUGS, LIKE FOR MYSELF, I STARTED TAKING IT TO NUMB.

NUMB FEELINGS, YOU KNOW.

LIKE THEY WERE TALKING EARLIER IN THE DRESSING ROOM.

IT'S LINKED TO TRAUMA.

THINGS THAT HAPPENED VERY -- THAT WERE VERY BIG, CONSEQUENTIAL.

IT COULD BE YOUR LIVING ENVIRONMENT.

SO MYSELF, IT WAS TO NUMB.

AND IT STARTED TO BE ACCEPTED.

I FIRST STARTED, OH, I TRIED IT, LIKED IT AND I NEEDED IT.

LIKE HOW HE EXPLAINED.

AND THE PARTY SCENE.

THEN YOU COME INTO OTHER SCENES.

OOH, I LIKE IT AND NOW THERE'S MORE FEELINGS.

THERE'S MORE EMOTIONS.

THERE'S EXCITEMENT, YOU KNOW.

IT FEEDS EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE THAT'S LIKE A HOLE IN YOU.

IT STARTS FEEDING THAT.

SO WHEN PEOPLE ARE, OH, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DO DRUGS.

IT'S BECAUSE IT FEEDS AN EMPTINESS.

IT FEEDS THAT PLACE WHERE YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT IT OR YOU'RE GIVING -- LIKE HE SAID, ENDORPHINS.

IT STARTS TRIGGERING ENDORPHINS TO MAKE YOU FEEL HAPPY.

IT STARTS TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF -- >>Lauren: AND YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT DRUGS AS A WHOLE?

>> I'VE DONE ICE.

I'VE DONE COCAINE AND WEED.

>> AND WE'RE FINDING FENTANYL IN MANY OF THOSE DRUGS.

THAT'S THE CHALLENGE.

IT'S FINDING IT IN METHAMPHETAMINE AND ICE.

FOUND IN COCAINE IN THE ISLANDS.

WHETHER IT'S PURPOSELY PUT IN THERE OR CROSS-CONTAMINATION.

WE'RE SEEING IT IN OTHER SUBSTANCES, AS WELL.

FOR MANY FOLKS, THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO USE FENTANYL.

MAYBE NOT REALIZING THAT'S IN THE SUBSTANCE THEY'RE TAKING.

>>Lauren: DR. KUNZ, YOU AND I WERE TALKING BEFORE WE GOT STARTED HERE, A BIG PROBLEM IS PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW MAYBE THEY TAKE WEED AND IT'S LACED WITH FENTANYL, RIGHT?

>> WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

PEOPLE THAT WEREN'T AWARE THAT THEY'RE TAKING FENTANYL.

SO THAT'S A BIG PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S MASQUERADING AS EVERY OTHER DRUG THAT SOMEONE MAY USE.

WHETHER IT'S IN HIGH SCHOOL OR A 40 OR 50-YEAR-OLD.

FENTANYL IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICANS 18 TO 45 YEARS TODAY.

IN EACH OF THOSE AGE GROUPS.

THAT QUESTION IS A GOOD QUESTION.

WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS?

WELL, I THINK WE HAVE TO GET HONEST WITH OURSELVES AND ADMIT THAT ONE OF THE CENTRAL DEFINING FEATURES OF THE AMERICAN CULTURE IS THE USE OF DRUGS.

NOT TALKING CHOCOLATE AND COFFEE.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT DEATHS IN AMERICA, ABOUT ONE OUT OF FOUR ARE CAUSED BY DRUGS.

3% OF ALL DEATHS IN AMERICA TODAY ARE CAUSED BY OVERDOSES.

3% BY ALCOHOL USE DISORDER.

14% FROM NICOTINE, WHETHER IT BE LONG CANCER, HEART DISEASE.

AND OTHER DRUGS INCLUDING METHAMPHETAMINE AND PRESCRIPTION BENZODIAZEPINES.

ALSO, WHEN DO YOU MEET SOMEONE NOT TAKING SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S AT A LIQUOR STORE OR OVER THE COUNTER?

IT DEFINES OUR CULTURE, AND IT DOES GIVE RELIEF.

AND IT GIVES RELIEF TO SOMEBODY WHO COULD BE OTHERWISE COMPLETELY BALANCED AND NORMAL.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HIGH LIKE A CHOCOLATE BAR OR BEER.

BUT SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE EITHER BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD CHILDHOOD OR OTHER TRAUMA AND IT FILLS THE VOID OR THEY'RE GENETICALLY THEY'RE PRONE.

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE BUT MOTHER TERESA, IF SHE CAME TO KONA 15 YEARS AGO, SHE COULD GET ADDICTED TO METHAMPHETAMINE AND BE WALKING THE STREETS.

THESE DRUGS ARE ADDICTIVE.

THEY'RE PART OF OUR CULTURE.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING AS DEADLY AS THIS AND SO QUICKLY.

OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE BEEN GOING UP IN AMERICA FOR 40 YEARS.

THE CURVE IS LIKE A ROCKET.

AND WE WILL NEVER SOLVE THIS WITH NARCAN.

WE'LL NEVER SOLVE THIS WITH TREATMENT.

WE'LL NEVER TREAT OUR WAY OUT OF THIS EPIDEMIC.

WE'RE NEVER INCARCERATE OUT WAY OUT OF IT.

WE'LL NEVER BURY OUR WAY OUT OF IT.

WE'VE GOT TO GO UPSTREAM AND THINK OF PREVENTION.

THAT STARTS WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING TONIGHT.

EDUCATION, PREVENTION, AWARENESS, AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE FUND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

THAT THEY'RE ACCESSIBLE AND CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE.

THAT WE DON'T STIGMATIZE DRUG USE AND PEOPLE THAT USE DRUGS.

AND THEN WE'VE GOT A SHOT AT THIS.

>>Lauren: ASHLEY, YOU WERE TELLING ME THAT YOU TRIED YOUR BEST TO MAKE YOUR SON JOSHUA AWARE OF YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS TOPIC WAS DISCUSSED ENOUGH FOR YOU OR EVEN WITH JOSHUA?

>> FOR ME, I'M PRETTY MUCH PROGRAMMED OUT.

MAYBE WITH MY SON EVEN THOUGH -- AS MYSELF DRILLED IT INTO HIM.

IT'S PROBABLY THAT YOUTHFUL, STILL WANTING TO GO OUT AND EXPERIENCE HIS OWN IS STILL, LIKE, WHAT -- I'LL TELL YOU, I'VE BEATEN MYSELF UP HOW GOOD OF A PERSON I WASN'T BECAUSE IF I WAS A BETTER MOM, HE MIGHT BE STILL BE HERE.

IF I NAILED INTO HIM OR IF I BROUGHT HIM FROM BIG ISLAND TO OAHU WHEN I STARTED GETTING MY LIFE TOGETHER, TURNING IT AROUND.

IF I BROUGHT HIM THIS, THIS WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

AND THAT'S BECAUSE DOUBLE HERE ON OAHU, IT'S WORSE THAN BIG ISLAND.

IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT MORE ACCESSIBLE, BUT DOWN HERE, HE WOULD HAVE GOT INTO ANOTHER CROWD.

OTHER DRUGS.

YOU JUST DON'T KNOW.

AND IF HE WAS EDUCATED, I THINK THAT I TOLD HIM ENOUGH FOR HIM TO MAKE CHOICES, AND, LIKE, EVEN IF HE DIDN'T KNOW -- LIKE, I FEEL HE DIDN'T KNOW.

I FEEL LIKE HE SMOKED WEED AND IT WAS LACED.

OR IF HE TRIED IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE.

BUT HIS TOXICOLOGY SPOKE FOR IT.

THERE WAS ONLY WEED, FENTANYL AND ALCOHOL IN HIS SYSTEM.

THERE'S NO WAY I FELT LIKE MY SON EVER WOULD HAVE DONE FENTANYL.

THAT'S WHEN THE FENTANYL STARTED COMING OUT.

IT WAS ME, MY COUSINS ALL TELLING HIM DON'T TRY IT.

STAY AWAY.

DON'T EVEN DO THE COKE.

BECAUSE HE WAS DOING COKE ALSO BEFORE THAT, AND HE STOPPED.

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW -- SO FEELING SAFE TO SMOKE WEED IS NOT SAFE ANYMORE.

THERE'S ANOTHER BOY, I THINK, MAYBE IN THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER IN KONA THAT SMOKED WEED AND DIED OF FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

AND THAT WAS JUST, LIKE, WHOA.

THAT'S BAD.

HOW ARE THEY -- IT'S GOT TO BE DIPPED, SPRINKLED, SOMETHING.

THERE'S SOME WAY.

SO EVEN IF I EDUCATED MY SON AND HE JUST SMOKED WEED AND THAT HAPPENED, IT'S STILL NOT -- THERE'S STILL NOT ENOUGH EDUCATION AND PREVENTION.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S A BIG ISSUE.

WHEN THAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SON, TO JOSHUA, IT BLEW OUR MINDS.

I WAS PRESENTING AT THE SCHOOLS AND I WAS SAYING, NOBODY GOES FROM CHOCOLATE CANDY TO FENTANYL.

THERE'S USUALLY ONE GATEWAY SITUATION HAPPENING.

MAYBE SO ALCOHOL.

MAYBE SMOKE CIGARETTES.

BUT NOBODY SMOKE CIGARETTES ANYMORE.

IT'S VAPING.

MAYBE AFTER THAT THEY LIKE SMOKE ONE JOINT.

WHEN I HEARD THAT, MY GOSH, FENTANYL IS NOW BEING LACED IN MARIJUANA.

THAT'S A LOT OF KIDS THAT'S SMOKING MARIJUANA.

MY GOODNESS, WE REALLY GOT TO UP THE ANTE ON PREVENTION.

AND THESE KIDS WHO ARE EXPERIMENTING, SO THE PARENTS GOT TO BE TALKING TO THE KIDS LIKE HOW WE TALKING TO OUR KID.

THESE DRUGS, EVEN MARIJUANA CAN BE LACED.

AND I'M HEARING, NOT TO BE ALARMED, BUT ON THE CONTINENT, FENTANYL IS BEING LACED AND FOUND IN THE VAPING DEVICES NOW.

SO THAT MAKES IT EVEN WORSE.

I'M GLAD YOU PUT IT ON THE SHOW BECAUSE PEOPLE GOT TO KNOW THIS IS DANGEROUS STUFF.

>>Lauren: HOW IS THIS GETTING INTO OUR STATE?

>> IT'S CRAZY.

OKAY.

THEY GOT DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS.

THANK GOODNESS FOR THESE DOGS.

THEY'RE AT THE AIRPORTS, THEY'RE DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

AT THE BARGES AND PORTS, DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB THERE.

IT'S BASICALLY BEING FLOWN IN.

THROUGH AIR MAIL.

AND THAT THE BIGGEST -- SO THE POLICE IS ON THIS.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS AT THE POST OFFICES.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF POST OFFICES AND NOT ENOUGH DRUG-SNIFFING DOGS AND HENCE THE PROBLEM.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL MARIJUANA, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN IT'S BEING LACED WITH FENTANYL, THAT'S BEING DONE ON PURPOSE OR AN ACCIDENT?

>> I DON'T KNOW ACTUALLY.

IT'S HAD TO TELL.

FIRST, WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THESE PAIN MEDICATIONS -- IBUPROFEN, TYLENOL.

AND IF YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR THEY MIGHT GIVE YOU PERCOCET.

HYDROCODONE, OXYCODONE, VICODIN.

AND IF YOU GO TO THE DENTIST CODEINE AND MORPHINE FOR SURGERY AND FENTANYL.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY LACED IN PAIN PILLS.

AND I THINK THAT WAS ON PURPOSE, TO GET FOLKS ADDICTED.

MY GUESS, IT IS BEING LACED IN OTHER DRUGS ON PURPOSE, ONE, BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER AND GIVES FOLKS A BIGGER HIGH AND THEY GET ADDICTED QUICKER.

>>Lauren: HEATHER, HOW STRONG DO YOU FEEL THE MESSAGING IS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ALREADY ABOUT THE DANGERS ON FENTANYL AND WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER?

>> THROUGH THE HAWAI'I OPIOID INITIATIVE, THAT STARTED IN 2017.

IT WAS STARTED BY GOVERNOR GREEN AT THE TIME.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET SOME SOCIAL MEDIA BUT WE NEED MORE.

I'M GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE LIKE THE HAWAI'I FENTANYL TASK FORCE AND COLLEAGUES.

THERE IS MORE OPIOID-RELATED DOLLARS COMING IN.

NOW THERE'S SETTLEMENT DOLLARS.

WHICH IS, WHAT, $78 MILLION COMING IN.

HOPEFULLY SOME WILL GO TO NOT ONLY PREVENTION AND TREATMENT BUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

RECENTLY, THERE WAS AN OVERDOSE DEATH AS A NIGHTCLUB IN HONOLULU THAT SEEMED TO GET SOME ATTENTION.

COUNCILMEMBER TYLER DOS SANTOS-DAM INTRODUCED A BILL IN THE HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL THAT WILL BE GETTING HEARD NEXT WEDNESDAY THAT WILL REQUIRE EVERY NIGHTCLUB ON THE ISLAND TO HAVE NALOXONE BECAUSE OF THIS AND OTHER EXAMPLES WE'VE SEEN FROM THE CONTINENT.

WE'RE GETTING MORE AWARENESS, BUT IT'S MORE TALKING ABOUT IT.

BREAK THE STIGMA AND SILENCE.

BY TALKING, WE CAN SAVE A LIFE.

I RELATED TO YOU, ASHLEY.

WHEN I DID EXPERIMENTATION, THERE WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WOULD KILL YOU THE FIRST TIME.

NOW THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE TRIES SOMETHING, IF IT HAS FENTANYL, THEY COULD DIE.

THAT IS SCARY MESSAGE, AND WE DON'T WANT TO SCARE PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO HAVE DIALOGUE.

>>Lauren: CAN YOU ALSO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT NEW LAW ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK NOW?

TO DECRIMINALIZE FENTANYL TESTING STRIPS.

>> SO SENATOR, THANKS TO DR. KIMO HERE, PUT IN SB 671, WHICH WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED BY THE HOUSE AND SENATE BIPARTISAN.

IT'S ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

WHAT IT WOULD DO IT DECRIMINALIZE FENTANYL TEST STRIPS.

THESE ARE TEST STRIPS MADE FOR LIKE URINE DRUG SCREENS.

LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER THAT YOU WOULD DIP IN WITH A LITTLE BIT OF WATER.

IF FENTANYL WAS IN IT, IT WOULD SHOW A LINE.

BECAUSE IT'S CONSIDERED PARAPHERNALIA, IT'S ILLEGAL UNTIL THE GOVERNOR SIGNS SB 671.

>> DR. KUNZ, WHEN YOU SEE THIS TOPIC BEING DISCUSSED ON THE NATIONAL MEDIA, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY THAT MAYBE ISN'T SHARED AS PREDOMINANTLY?

>> THANKS FOR ASKING.

FIRST, IF I COULD COMMENT ON FENTANYL BEING LACED IN MARIJUANA.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE SELLING OF FENTANYL AS A PRODUCT IS A BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY.

IT'S NOT LIKE SOMEBODY'S BAKING BROWNIES AND IT JUST SO HAPPEN THAT SOME PAKALOLO FELL IN THE BROWNIES.

THIS FENTANYL IS WHERE IT IS BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S MAKING A DOLLAR.

THEY'RE MAKING A LOT OF DOLLAR.

SO THAT'S PART OF WHO THE TERRORISM IS, BUT WE WILL NEVER GET THEM ALL.

WE CATCH ONE TODAY, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER TOMORROW DEALING.

THAT WILL NOT STOP.

WE'VE GOT TO DECREASE DEMAND.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN TOUCHED WITH ON THE BIG ISLAND IS THAT WE ALL HEAR THESE STATISTICS.

AND WHEN WE HAD OUR CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, AND OUR TASK FORCE HAS BEEN GOING FOR OVER 18 MONTHS NOW.

AND IT STARTED WHEN WE LOST A 14-YEAR-OLD IN KONA WITH A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

HE DIED ON TIKTOK.

SO THAT WAS A WAKE-UP CALL, BUT WHAT WE SEE IS THE STATISTICS, THEY GET ON THE NEWS.

THE DRUGS THAT ARE CONFISCATED GET ON THE NEWS.

320 DEATHS LAST YEAR FROM OVERDOSES GET ON THE NEWS, BUT WHAT WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS THE FOLKS, THE FAMILIES, THE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, THE TREATMENT PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SEEING THIS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

THIS MOVES THEIR HEART.

WE CALL THEM THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND.

THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT THE STATISTIC PEOPLE.

THEY'RE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING WITH THIS, AND AFFECTS NOT ONLY THE PERSON USING OR DYING IT AFFECTS THEIR FAMILY.

IT AFFECTS EVERYONE WHO KNOWS THEM.

IT AFFECTS OUR COMMUNITY, AND IT'S PUTTING -- RAINS ACID ON THE SOUL OF OUR COMMUNITY.

THE ONLY WAY WE FEEL WE CAN CHANGE ON THE BIG ISLAND IS IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT THIS TASK FORCE HAS BEEN ABOUT.

AND I HOPE WE CAN KEEP GOING.

WE NEED A LOT OF RESOURCES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE MAN REDUCTION.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PROVIDERS.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TREATMENT BEDS.

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A PLACE WHERE SOMEONE CAN HAVE A SOCIAL DETOXIFICATION ON A SAFE BEN ON THE BIG ISLAND.

WE HAVE TO SEND PEOPLE TO OAHU.

TAKES A WEEK OR TWO.

IF YOU HAVE THIS DISEASE, YOU DON'T WAIT A WEEK OR TWO SO WE LOSE THEM.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE HEART SIDE AND NOT JUST THE STATISTICS.

WE HAVE TO SAY, WHAT IS THIS DOING TO US?

IT'S, AS WE SAW LAST WEEK, IT IMPACTS THE CAREGIVERS AND THOSE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT IMPACTS THE FAMILIES.

WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER FOR THIS AND NOT JUST BE ABOUT STATISTICS.

>>Lauren: YOU SEE THIS FIRSTHAND.

HOW HARD IS IT FOR SOMEONE WHO IS ADDICTED TO SYNTHETIC TO STOP ONCE THEY GET ADDICTED?

>> WELL, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT.

IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITH FENTANYL TO STOP.

IF THEY COULD JUST STOP, THAT WOULDN'T BE ADDICTION.

AND SO HOWEVER, AND WE SHOULD MENTION, IS THAT WE HAVE FDA APPROVED MEDICATIONS THAT WILL TAKE AWAY THE CRAVING AND WITHDRAWAL FROM FENTANYL AND OTHER OPIATES.

THIS IS ROUTINELY DONE NOW IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM IN KONA AND AT SEVERAL CLINICS ON THE BIG ISLAND.

SOMEONE USING CAN COME IN AND WALK OUT TWO HOURS LATER NOT HIGH, NOT IN WITHDRAWAL AND NOT CRAVING FOR MORE.

THAT MEDICATION IS ALSO KNOWN AS SUBOXONE.

RECENTLY THE GOVERNMENT TOOK AWAY ALL RESTRICTIONS FOR ITS PRESCRIPTION.

IT'S HARD TO FIND PROVIDERS WHO WILL GIVE IT TO A PATIENT.

AS MENTIONED WHEN WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, PROVIDERS GO, I DON'T REALLY TAKE CARE OF THOSE PATIENTS, THOSE PEOPLE.

THE TRUTH IS THEY COULD SAVE A LOT OF LIVES AND MAKE A LOT OF LIVES BETTER.

SO THIS MEDICATION IS AVAILABLE NOW AND SHOULD BE USED.

>> I CAN PIGGYBACK ON THAT.

KIND OF TALKING ABOUT THE STIGMA.

THE STIGMA OF ADDICTION IS HEAVY IN THE STATE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CHANGE WORDS LIKE SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

WE TRY TO USE SUBSTANCE USE.

AND ADDICTION BEING A BRAIN DISEASE.

JUST LIKE HEART DISEASE.

NOBODY CHOOSES HEART DISEASE OR DIABETES.

SIMILARLY, NOBODY CHOOSES ADDICTION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN OUR BRAIN GO FROM NOT BEING ADDICTED TO ADDICTION.

THAT'S WHY EXPERIMENTATION IS DANGEROUS.

LIKE HEART DISEASE.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN IT GOES FROM HEART DISEASE TO NOT HAVING HEART DISEASE.

IF WE START TO LOOK AT IT AS AN ADDICTION, AS A BRAIN DISEASE, THAT MIGHT HELP SHIFT IT A LITTLE.

>>Lauren: HEATHER, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NARCAN WITH YOU.

NAOMI FROM MILILANI IS ASKING, WHY CAN'T PEOPLE JUST PICK UP NARCAN AT THE PHARMACY?

>> YOU CAN IN HAWAI'I.

PHARMACISTS, UNDER ACT 154, ARE ALLOWED TO PRESCRIBE NALOXONE.

THE CHALLENGE IS THE COST.

AND WHILE IT IS COVERED FROM INSURANCE, THERE'S A CO-PAY.

THIS LIFE-SAVING DRUG WILL BE OVER THE COUNTER THIS SUMMER THAT YOU PUT INTO THE NOSTRIL.

AND WE'RE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THAT PRICE WILL BE.

RIGHT NOW THE SHELF PRICE IS $75 PER DOSE.

I THINK WE'RE HOPING FOR A MORE REASONABLE COSTS BUT PEOPLE CAN GET IT WERE THEIR LOCAL PHARMACY.

IF YOU GO TO HAWAI'IOPIOID.org.

WE HAVE A MAP THAT SHOWS EVERY PLACE IN HAWAI'I WHERE YOU CAN GET NALOXONE.

>>Lauren: THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ON THE TOPIC OF NARCAN, THIS PERSON SAYING, I SENSE A RELUCTANCE WITH THE POLICE AND COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS THE FENTANYL PROBLEM.

HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CARRY NARCAN AND TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY.

>> SUCH A GOOD QUESTION.I WILL SAY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, I THINK THEY'VE BEEN ALONG SIDE US.

MOST -- EVERY COUNTY POLICE DOES CARRY NALOXONE IN THE STATE.

I BELIEVE THE SHERIFFS DO, AS WELL.

SOME OF OUR MAIN PARTNERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDERSTAND THAT WE CANNOT ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THIS CRISIS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THERE'S STILL STIGMA RELATED.

FOR EXAMPLE, I'VE HEARD PEOPLE BEING WORRIED THAT IF THEY KNOW I HAVE NALOXONE, IT MIGHT AFFECT MY INSURANCE POLICY.

IT MEANS I'M AT RISK OR IF SOMEBODY FINDS THIS, THEY'RE GOING TO THINK I'M A DRUG USER.

IT LASTS ABOUT TWO YEARS.

SO IT HAS A PRETTY LONG SHELF LIFE.

IT CAN LAST OVER A HUNDRED DEGREES FOR A FEW MOMENTS.

IT'S A REALLY STABLE SUBSTANTIAL THAT PEOPLE CAN CARRY.

DON'T LEAVE IT IN YOUR CAR.

THAT MIGHT MAKE IT NOT AS EFFECTIVE.

KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT.

HOPEFULLY, WE'LL SEE PEOPLE NOT ONLY CARRYING IT BUT TALKING ABOUT IT AND DISTRIBUTING IT PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

>> KIMO, THIS QUESTION FROM A VIEWER FROM MAUI.

IF FENTANYL KILLS SO SURELY, WHY IS IT POPULAR TO USE TO LACE FOR DRUGS?

THERE'S NOTHING TO PROFIT IF THERE ARE NO MORE BUYERS.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

PEOPLE ASK, WHY WOULD THE DEALER WANT TO KILL THEIR CUSTOMER?

IT'S CRAZY.

IN THE DRUG WORLD, FIRST OF ALL, IF YOU HAVE AN ADDICTION, NUMBER ONE, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO THINK IT'S YOU.

YOU THINK YOU'RE INVINCIBLE.

NUMBER TWO, AND WITHDRAWAL IS SO STRONG THAT SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS, THEY JUST WANT TO GET IT'S WITHDRAWLS OFF.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE SUICIDAL.

WHEN YOU HEAR PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK IN WITHDRAWAL, THEY TELL YOU IT'S THE WORST THING.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER THEY'RE TAKING AND THEY DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY, THEY WANT TO GET THE BIGGEST BANG FOR THEIR BUCK.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS.

THE CRAZINESS AS WELL IS IN THE DRUG WORLD, WHEN THE WORD GETS OUT THAT PAIN MEDICATION OR THAT DRUG IS POWERFUL AND THEY GETTING IT FROM THAT PERSON, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, YOU WOULD THINK THAT DRUG DEALER WOULD BE LESS POPULAR.

THEY BECOME MORE POPULAR.

>>Lauren: DR. KUNZ, YOU WERE SAYING THIS IS A BUSINESS FOR THESE DRUG DEALERS.

MARK IN KAILUA IS ASKING, DO TEENAGERS EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS?

HOW DO WE GET THE WORD OUT?

>> WELL, I GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO MY COLLEGE, DR. KIMO ALAMEDA HERE.

HE'S GIVEN OVER 300 PRESENTATION ON BIG ISLAND SCHOOLS, AT CLUBS, AT CHURCHES.

WE'VE DONE -- IF THAT WAS DONE EVERYWHERE AND SCHOOLS KEEP INVITING BACK.

SO THE EDUCATION IS REALLY SUPER, SUPER IMPORTANT.

BUT IT'S ONLY ONE STEP.

THERE'S ACTIVE PREVENTION, THINGS THAT CAN GO IN PLACE AT EVERY LEVEL.

JUST SCREENING, ASKING A QUESTION OF YOUR CHILD OR SCHOOL OR HEALTHCARE SETTING.

ASKING IF THEY'RE USING ANYTHING.

DO A VERY BRIEF INTERVENTION WHICH SOMETIMES CAN CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY OF THAT INDIVIDUAL'S LIFE.

IF THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, REFERRAL TO TREATMENT.

I THINK THE WORD IS GETTING OUT.

IT NEEDS TO BE LOUDER.

FOLLOW IT UP.

SO IF PEOPLE NEED HELP, THEY GOT HELP.

WE'RE SHORT STAFFED.

IT'S THE DISEASE AMERICA DOESN'T WANT TO HAVE AND HASN'T BEEN TREATING.

AND I JUST -- BECAUSE IT CAME UP EARLIER, TWO THINGS.

ONE, SUICIDE.

THE EPIDEMIC OF SUICIDE IS LINKED TO SUBSTANCES.

40% OF SUICIDES SOMEHOW INVOLVE OPIATES, FENTANYL AND OTHER DRUGS.

THAT'S GONE UP IN THE PANDEMIC.

SO WHEN WE SEE YOUTH SUICIDES, AND WE'VE SEEN THIS IN OUR COMMUNITIES, OFTENTIMES INVOLVING FENTANYL OR OTHER DRUGS.

SO THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PEOPLE DIDN'T MEAN TO GET HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES.

IN 30 YEARS I'VE TREATED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION.

I'VE NEVER MET A SINGLE ONE WHO SAID, MY INTENTION WAS TO RUIN MY LIFE, GET OFF BALANCE AND HURT THE PEOPLE THAT I LOVE THE MOST.

SO THIS DISEASE SNEAKS UP ON YOU, AND WE HAVE TO SNEAK UP ON IT AND HIT IT WITH A BIG SLEDGEHAMMER.

ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IS NOT JUST TRYING TO STOP THE FLOW OF DRUGS, BUT THE MAJOR WAY IS EDUCATION.

HAVING TREATMENT AVAILABLE.

>> I WANT TO NOTE EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T HAVE TREATMENT ON DEMAND.

SOMEBODY SAYS I WANT TREATMENT AND THAT DAY OR SOON THEY GET ACCESS.

WE HAVE A 24-HOUR LINE CALL THE CARES LINE.

YOU CAN ACCESS THROUGH 988.

AND YOU CAN CALL IF SOMEONE YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT, A FAMILY MEMBER.

IF YOU YOURSELF AND LEARN HOW TO ACCESS TREATMENT.

CALLED THE CARES LINE THROUGH 988 OR 832-3100.

THERE ARE FOLKS YOU CAN TALK TO 24 HOURS A DAY, WHETHER IT'S A CRISIS.

HERE, SEVERAL WEEKS TO SEVERAL MONTHS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WANT RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT, TO GET THE SUPPORT YOU DESERVE.

WE'RE SO GRATEFUL WE HAVE THE MEDICATION.

WE PROVIDE ALMOST THREE HUNDRED FOLKS.

WE'VE SEEN IT CHANGE PEOPLE'S LIVES.

IT'S A TREATMENT LIKE FOR INSULIN.

YOU WOULDN'T CALL INSULIN A MEDICATION FOR DIABETES DISORDER.

WE CALL THAT FOR MEDICATION OFTENTIMES CALLED MEDICATION.

TREATMENT IS A TREATMENT.

>> YEAH.

FOR PARENTS OUT THERE, COACHES, FOR PASTORS, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PSYCHOLOGISTS TO GO AROUND.

TALKING TO OUR KIDS, I HAVE SEVEN AND I TALK TO THEM ALL THE TIME.

AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE A NAG.

FIRST OF ALL, THEIR BRAIN'S NOT FULLY DEVELOPED UNTIL AGE 25.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE MIXING SUBSTANCES.

90% OF ALL ADDICTIONS HAPPEN BEFORE AGE OF 20.

IF OUR KIDS CAN POSTPONE EXPERIMENTATION TO 25, THE CHANCES OF THEIR ADDICTION DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY.

I TELL MY KIDS, IF YOU HANG AROUND FROM THREE VAPORS, YOU GOING TO BE THE FOURTH.

USE GOOD JUDGMENT IN WHO THEY HANG AROUND WITH.

>>Lauren: KIMO, THAT'S A GOOD SEGUE TO THIS VIEWER QUESTION.

SAYS, I'M A TEACHER ON THE BIG ISLAND.

HOW DO WE KNOW IF ONE OF OUR STUDENTS IS USING, AND HOW DO THEY BEHAVE?

>> YEAH.

SO WITH OPIOIDS, IT'S A DOWNER.

SO SLEEPING, MAYBE NODDING OFF, BEHAVIOR START TO CHANGE.

WITH ALL DRUGS, THERE'S SOME TELLTALE SIGNS.

PRIORITIES BECOME SECONDARY.

ONCE YOU GET THAT ADDICTION, EVERYTHING ELSE IS SECONDARY TO THAT ADDICTION.

GRADES MIGHT DROP.

THEY MIGHT BE SLEEPING LESS, NOT SLEEPING.

ANY CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR.

IN THE CLASSROOM, GRADES.

MAYBE NOT AS INTERACTIVE.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT'S DIFFERENT, HAVE A DISCUSSION.

>>Lauren: ASHLEY, I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP.

EARLIER DR. KUNZ WAS TALKING -- WE'VE ALL BEEN TALKING ABOUT RESOURCES AND HOW TO GET HELP.

WHAT HE SAID PROBABLY RESONATED WITH YOU.

WHAT, FOR YOU, WORKED TO KIND OF GET YOURSELF STEPPING TOWARDS BEING IN RECOVERY?

>> FOR ME, IT WAS SEEING MY SON GOING DOWN THAT ROAD AND ME WANTING TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

I'VE DONE ALL THE PROGRAMS.

I'VE DONE PROGRAMS IN PRISON.

I'VE DONE PROGRAMS OUT HERE, AND HONESTLY, IT HELPED BUT IT DIDN'T HELP ENOUGH FOR ME TO STOP OR WANT TO CHANGE.

I THINK THERE'S ONE THING THAT RESONATED FOR ME.

I WENT TO SAND ISLAND.

IT'S THE MINDSET.

AFTER YOU GET THE KNOWLEDGE INTO YOU ABOUT ADDICTION AND HOW YOU GET ADDICT, IT'S CHANGING THAT MINDSET TO WANTING TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE TO LEAD A DIFFERENT WAY OR GO BACK TO WHAT IS SO-CALLED NORMAL.

YOU KNOW, OR LIKE GETTING YOURSELF OUT OF THE HOLE.

SO IT WAS THE MINDSET OF WANTING TO LEAD FOR EXAMPLE FOR MY CHILD, THAT I WASN'T THERE FOR.

AND IT WAS JUST BEING TIRED.

TIRED OF LIVING THE SAME THING, THE SAME DOOR.

IT'S JUST A -- WHAT DO THEY CALL IT WHEN WE DO -- SOME KIND OF DOOR.

>> RESOLVE.

>> RESOLVING DOOR.

AND WHAT HE SAID ABOUT RESOURCES AND TREATMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT DOES TAKE MONTHS BEFORE YOU CAN GET INTO A TREATMENT PROGRAM.

EVEN FOR WOMEN, IT'S EVEN HARDER.

AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF THE WOMEN IN PRISON, THEY SIT IN PRISON BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH CLEAN SOBER HOUSES FOR THEM TO GET OUT TO.

THERE'S NONE.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES.

AND BECAUSE WHEN IT REALLY HAPPENS, ADDICTION FALLS RIGHT BACK TO YOU GETTING INCARCERATED.

YOU DO CRIME TO GET YOUR NEXT FIX.

AND THEN TO GET OUT OF IT, IT TAKE A LOT.

BECAUSE YOU GOT TO START PADDLING UPWARDS, AND WHEN YOU PADDLE UPWARDS, YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN.

THERE'S NOT ENOUGH TREATMENT.

NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES TO GET HELP.

IT TAKE A LOT OF PERSEVERANCE.

A LOT OF RESILIENCE AND HOLDING ON AND GOING BECAUSE YOU WILL MAKE IT OUT.

>> WE USE AN ACRONYM, HOPE.

HE SAID HE USES IT.

HOPE IS HOLD ON, PAIN ENDS.

FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION CAN HOLD ON AND STAY ALIVE.

NARCAN IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

TEST STRIPS ARE SUPER IMPORTANT.

TREATMENT MAY COME IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

BEST TREATMENT FOR OPIOID TREATMENT IS SUBOXONE AND A SUPPORT GROUP.

SO I WOULD SAY LOOK FOR THOSE AND GET YOURSELF ON THAT ROAD TO RECOVERY.

>> I WOULD CONFIRM THAT.

WE SAY TOGETHER IS BETTER.

GET A MEDICATION BUT HAVE YOUR SUPPORT GROUP AND KEEP LEARNING.

AND IT JUST SEEMS MAYBE I SHOULD SAY, WE CAN'T SEE THE BRAIN THAT'S SICK IN THIS DISEASE.

BUT IF I FALL OFF A CLIFF HIKING NEXT WEEK AND I BROKE TEN BONES IN MY PELVIS AND FELL IN THE WATER AND GOT PNEUMONIA, I'D BE IN THE HOSPITAL A LONG TIME BUT I WOULD COME BACK.

WITH ADDICTION, WE EXPECT PEOPLE TO JUST STOP.

THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

THIS IS A CHRONIC DISEASE AND IT TAKES A WHILE.

IT TAKE STEPS AT A TIME.

>>Lauren: I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE SIGNS OF PREVENTING FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

A QUESTION FROM ONE OF THE VIEWERS.

ANY OF YOU CAN TAKE THE QUESTION.

ARE THERE EARLY SIGNS TO WATCH FOR TO PREVENT AN OVERDOSE?

SHORTNESS OF BREATH?

ANY SYMPTOMS?

>> THERE ARE A FEW.

ONE IS THE BREATHING SLOWS.

HEART RATE IS SLOWING.

BREATHING SLOWS.

IF IT GETS DOWN TO TEN BREATHS OR LESS A MINUTE, THAT PERSON IS STRUGGLING.

YOU MIGHT SEE LACK OF OXYGEN.

DEPENDING ON THEIR NATURAL TONE.

YOU MAY SEE IT IN THEIR NAIL BEDS OR LIPS.

GETTING BLUE OR PURPLE BECAUSE OXYGEN IS NOT GETTING TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

HE MENTIONED THE NOD, WHICH COULD BE SOMEBODY GOING LIKE THIS.

DO STERNUM RUB.

IF SOMEBODY RESPONDS, MOST LIKELY THEY DON'T NEED NALOXONE.

THERE'S NO HARM IN DOING THIS.

THOSE ARE SOME THINGS, AND I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM DOCTOR IF THERE ARE OTHER SIGNS.

>> THE IRONY IS PEOPLE CAN USE DRUGS, WHETHER IT'S ALCOHOL, NICOTINE OR OPIOIDS AND NOT BE NOTICED BY OTHER PEOPLE.

BUT THEY'LL LOSE CONTROL.

IF THEY TAKE TOO MUCH OPIATE, THEY WON'T BE TALKATIVE.

EYES MIGHT START CLOSING.

THEY'LL NOD.

THEY DON'T HAVE TOO ENERGY.

THEY'RE HAPPY SOMETIMES UNTIL THEY GO DOWN ALL THE WAY.

AS OPPOSED TO METHAMPHETAMINE WHERE YOU SPEED UP.

BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> NARCAN, STATISTICS IS PROFOUND.

BIG ISLAND, ONE PERSON EVERY 11 DAYS IS DYING.

EMTS TELL US FOR THREE PEOPLE EVERY TEN CALLS ARE BEING SAVED FROM NARCAN.

SO THAT'S AMAZING.

>> IT WORKS RIGHT AWAY.

WITHIN TWO MINUTES.

>> YEAH.

IN FACT, IT'S PART OF THE PROTOCOL.

FOR AN EMT, THEY DO TWO THINGS.

ONE, GIVE THEM SUGAR AND NARCAN WHILE THEY'RE SETTING UP THE EQUIPMENT FOR CPR.

AND PEOPLE ARE -- THREE OUT OF TEN ARE COMING BACK TO LIFE.

>> CAN IT EVER BE INSTANTANEOUS?

THEY INHALE AND DO THE FENTANYL AND LIKE THAT?

>> YEAH.

IT CUTS OFF THE RESPIRATORY CENTER IN THE BRAIN.

IT'S OVERLOADED AND HEART RATE IS GOING DOWN.

BREATHING KILLS PEOPLE.

IT KNOCKS THAT CENTER DOWN IN THE BRAIN STEM.

THEY CAN'T BREATHE.

>> AND FENTANYL IS SO POTENT.

SOMETIMES IT TAKE MORE THAN ONE DOSE.

ONE PERSON TOOK FOUR DOSES.

MOST KITS COME WITH TWO.

WE'RE WORKING WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO GET VENDING MACHINES OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE ORDERED 20 TO GO ACROSS THE ISLANDS.

>> AND A BIG THING IS HAPPENING ON EAST COAST IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THE AMBULANCES AND POLICE HAVE BEEN CARRYING NARCAN FOR A LONG TIME.

ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY.

NOW WHEN THEY HAVE SOMEBODY WITH AN OVERDOSE, AS SOON AS THEY COME OUT OF THE OVERDOSE, THEY OFFER THEM SUBOXONE.

THEY CAN GET STARTED THERE.

HOPEFULLY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THAT FAR.

HOPEFULLY, THEIR HEALTH PROVIDER OR TEACHER SAYS THEY'VE GOT A PROBLEM, GET THEM ON A MEDICATION THAT CAN HELP THEM.

AND THEY CAN SLOWLY WEAN OFF THAT OR MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIFE.

>>Lauren: A BIG THING THAT YOU ALL WANTED TO SHARE WAS THE STIGMA AROUND FENTANYL.

WHAT CAN WE DO MOVING FORWARD TO TACKLE THAT PROBLEM?

>> FIRST, BE CAREFUL WITH OUR WORDS, LIKE ADDICTS.

A PERSON IN RECOVERY, USE BETTER LANGUAGE.

WE SAY SUBSTANCE ABUSE, BUT REALLY, IT'S SUBSTANCE USE.

SOMEBODY WITH HEART DISEASE, WE DON'T SAY YOU BIG MAC ABUSER.

WORDS WE USE GOT TO CHANGE.

I WOULD SAY START THIS.

>> TALK ABOUT IT.

BREAK THE SILENCE AROUND IT.

YOU'RE COURAGEOUS, ASHLEY.

THANK YOU.

THERE'S NO SHAME IN THE RECOVERY ROAD.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

HAVING THAT CONVERSATION.

ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE AT HIGHER RISK OF OVERDOSE ARE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY THAT RELAPSE.

THEY THINK THEY CAN TAKE A HIGHER DOSE BECAUSE WE BUILD A TOLERANCE.

YET RELAPSE.

AN EXPECTED PART OF THE CYCLE.

YET IF WE DON'T TALK RELAPSE PREVENTION AND GIVE NALOXONE.

THEY MIGHT BE SHAMED.

WE SEE PEOPLE DIE.

THEY'RE SO ASHAMED ABOUT THE RELAPSE.

>> ADDICTION IS LIKE A CHRONIC DISEASE.

LIKE DIABETES AND HEART DISEASE.

YOU'VE GOT TO WATCH IT ALL YOU LIFE AND SOMETIMES -- >>Lauren: WE HAVE A FACEBOOK COMMENT FROM CHARLENE.

SAYS MAHALO, HEATHER AND KIMO, FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING TO HELP SAVE LIVES.

I WANT THANK DR. KUNZ AND ASHLEY FOR SO BEING BRAVE.

ASHLEY, I'VE SEEN YOU NODDING TO EVERYTHING OUR OTHER PANELISTS HAVE SAID.

YOU'VE LIVED THIS FIRSTHAND AND NOW YOU'RE LOST, SO BEYOND WORDS.

I'LL GIVE THE LAST QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR OTHER PARENTS AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE IN YOUR SHOES OR WERE IN YOUR SHOES STRUGGLING?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

I JUST THINK THAT BY ME ACTUALLY STEPPING OUT AND TALKING ABOUT IT NOW LIKE CAUSE OF THE STIGMA, FOR MYSELF, BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA, YOU DON'T EVER TALK ABOUT DOING DRUGS.

OR LIKE YOU BEING ADDICTED, LIKE THAT.

IT'S MORE OF A RECREATIONAL PARTY.

YEAH, I PARTY AND DO A LINE OF COKE.

THAT'S THE EXTENT OF A CONVERSATION ABOUT DRUGS.

NOT BEING ADDICTED IN AN ALLEY WAY SMOKING OR SITTING ON THE WALL DRINKING YOUR BEER THINKING YOU'RE COOL BECAUSE YOU'RE HIGH BUT YOU'RE TRYING TO COME DOWN.

THERE'S HOPE.

I'VE BEEN THERE.

AND NOW I LIVE A FULLY FUNCTIONAL LIFE.

YOU KNOW, LIKE I'M DRUG-FREE.

I HAVE A NEW ONE-YEAR-OLD.

I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB.

I GO TO SCHOOL.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

AND FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOVED ONES WHO THEY LOST, IT'S NEVER GOING TO GO AWAY.

IT'S THE WAY YOU DEAL WITH IT.

THERE'S GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS.

I HAVE A LOT OF BAD DAYS.

THIS IS FINALLY ONE STEP FOR ME, HEALING.

IT'S TALKING.

BECAUSE EVEN THAT, I WAS CLOSED OFF ABOUT IT.

I'M NOT READY TO TALKING.

I DON'T WANT TO DO IT.

I WENT THROUGH THE WHOLE TWO WEEKS.

I SAID, I GOT TO DO IT.

YOU KNOW, AND IF YOU CAN FIND A HIGHER POWER FOR YOU, THAT'S THE BEST THING TO LEAN ON.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU FOR BEING SO BRAVE AND WILLING TO SHARE.

ANY LAST WORDS?

WE STARTED WITH JOSHUA.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE HIM TO BE REMEMBERED?

>> JUST AS A LOVEABLE TEDDY BEAR THAT WANTED TO HAVE FUN.

AND GIVE SOME KIND OF HOPE AND LET HIM BE AN INSPIRATION FOR OTHER KIDS TO, DON'T DO IT.

IT'S NOT WORTH IT TO TRY AND EXPERIMENT.

IT'S NOT.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU SO MUCH, ASHLEY, AND TO OUR PANELISTS.

BIG MAHALO TO ALL OF YOU.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS -- HEATHER LUSK, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HAWAI'I HEALTH AND HARM REDUCTION CENTER, KIMO ALAMEDA, THE HEAD OF THE HAWAI'I ISLAND FENTANYL TASK FORCE, PHYSICIAN, DR. KEVIN KUNZ, WHO IS ALSO ON THE HAWAI'I ISLAND FENTANYL TASK FORCE, AND ASHLEE RAPP WHO LOST HER SON TO A FENTANYL OVERDOSE.

NEXT WEEK WE WILL BE TAKING A BREAK FROM INSIGHTS FOR A SPECIAL KAKOU: HAWAI'I'S TOWN HALL, ALL ABOUT THE UP AND COMING GENERATION.

MANY OF HAWAI'I'S YOUTH ARE LEAVING OUR SHORES FOR EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS ON THE MAINLAND.

JOIN US FOR KAKOU, WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE WILL TRY AND ANSWER THE QUESTION, "SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?"

I'M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I, ALOHA!