26 Sep Before Addiction Takes Hold: A Proactive Strategy for Solving Hawaii’s Substance Use Crisis

As Substance Use Recovery Month draws to a close, here at IHS we’re inspired by the many people we have witnessed successfully escape the grip of alcohol or drug addiction.

These success stories are encouraging, but the battle against substance abuse continues. Across our state, dedicated professionals work tirelessly to combat drug trafficking, while healthcare workers strive to heal the physical devastation wrought by addiction. While we commend the widespread distribution of Naloxone, a crucial tool in preventing opioid overdose deaths, our first responders still face a growing number of calls related to addiction-induced violence and deaths.

Throughout our homeless programs here at The Institute for Human Services (IHS), we are forced to deal with devastating impacts on so many people’s health from decades of chronic methamphetamine abuse that have contributed to their homelessness. We’ve also witnessed sudden deaths resulting from the latest opioid products being peddled on the streets of Honolulu. 

While we recognize that the critical need for treatment remains a key component of the solution to mitigating the toll these substances take on the lives of those involved, we believe it’s time to give full attention to the roots of this growing crisis. At IHS, we’re committed to addressing not just the symptoms of substance use, but its root causes, as part of our holistic approach to ending homelessness.

The Evolving Threat of Addiction

Recent trends paint a troubling picture. Drugs are becoming increasingly lethal and addictive, with new formulations designed to hook users faster and keep them dependent longer. Our Executive Director, Connie Mitchell, recently had a revealing conversation with a colleague who works to stop drug trafficking in our state:

“Don’t drug dealers realize they’re killing off their customer base?” she asked.

Her colleague’s response was chilling: “They don’t care. There will always be more people who want their product.”

This mindset explains the alarming trend we’re seeing: a deliberate targeting of our keiki and youth. The goal? To ensure a constant supply of new customers to replace those lost to addiction or death. It’s a stark reality that underscores the urgency of our prevention efforts.

In Hawaii, drug-related overdose deaths increased by 6% from 2022 to 2023, rising from 320 to 346 fatalities, underscoring the growing threat in our community. This increase was driven by alarming spikes in specific drug categories, with meth-related deaths rising 10% and fentanyl-related deaths surging by 35% statewide over the same period.

Today’s illicit pills often masquerade as candy, while vapes are made more attractive to younger audiences with fruit juice flavors. Luckily, some of our most forward-thinking legislators have passed new laws that limit the purchase and possession of vaping products and tools to adults only. 

However, as addiction rates rise among our youth, we can expect homelessness and poor health outcomes to become an even more pressing and costly issue in our community.

Prevention: The Missing Piece Out of Poverty

It is more important than ever for us to truly understand what contributes to children and youth being lured into experimenting with drugs and alcohol. 

Traumatic childhood experiences often contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression, which can in turn lead to youth looking for ways to numb this pain. Traumatic events may include:

• Not having adult support, which is often the result of one parent being incarcerated and the other parent being left to work long hours to make ends meet

• Witnessing violence between parents or friends

• Experiencing physical and sexual assault, whether at the hands of trusted relatives or strangers, or in a case of date rape

Through our Children’s Program, we create environments where our children and youth can thrive without turning to substances to numb their pain or escape their reality. At Kahauiki Village, we offer after-school programs, tutoring, art classes, and extracurricular activities that enrich each child’s educational experience. During school breaks, we provide full-day programming, alleviating the childcare burden for working parents. We also partner with local businesses to organize valuable field trips and learning experiences, broadening children’s horizons and exposing them to new ideas and potential career paths.

We help the keiki in our care to feel seen and valued. We give them experiences that help them envision a future adult life full of accomplishment and joy. Most of all, we try to facilitate real friendships between peers by teaching kindness and promoting teamwork. 

Building Resilience in Our Communities

A sense of belonging and support can make all the difference in whether a young person develops the ability to resist the lure of drugs and alcohol. At IHS, we’ve identified several key strategies that can help build resilience in our communities for all ages:

1. Facilitate Connection: Our Children’s Program fosters crucial friendships through after-school activities and field trips. In the post-COVID era, where virtual interactions have potentially stunted in-person social skills, we encourage:

• Balancing online and offline interactions

• Creating face-to-face social opportunities

• Modeling healthy digital habits

• Discussing the importance of real-world connections

Research shows that isolation and loneliness can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes daily, and social anxiety often leads to substance use. By nurturing strong, in-person relationships, we build resilience against these risks.

2. Encourage Healthy Stress Management: Our Taking Root Urban Agriculture Program provides hands-on experience in aquaponic and hydroponic farming, offering a therapeutic and skill-building outlet for stress management. 

• We teach our keiki coping skills and healthy ways to manage the pressures of daily life and “adulting” …and of course, practice these ourselves. 

• Engaging in group activities like board games, sports, and shared meals strengthens mental health and resilience while promoting overall well-being. 

• Physical activity that demands some exertion is always a good stress buster as is discipline of meditation or nurturing plants or animals.

3. Address Trauma: IHS’s case management services include connecting clients with mental health support and substance abuse treatment, addressing underlying traumas that contribute to homelessness. 

• We have found that it is essential to address both the root causes and symptoms of post traumatic stress.

• It is equally important to facilitate treatment and or therapy, if the young person is open. 

• When serving homeless individuals, we give careful attention to how trauma is impacting their current behavior and how it’s contributed to some of their not-so-effective coping strategies.

4. Co-create Joyful and Engaging Activities: Through our Employment Programs like Hele2Work and New Leaf, we offer skill development and job training, giving participants a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

• We offer exciting, healthy experiences that help them learn new skills, develop confidence that give our youth a sense of purpose and belonging. 

• Participating in sports, learning to play an Instrument, using art to express inner emotions, and caring for the aina (land) all play a part in helping youth feel a sense of pride and belonging while reinforcing cultural identity. 

A Call for Systemic Change

We see the urgent need for a multifaceted and public health-informed approach to substance use. While we absolutely need more treatment options, we must also invest more in preventative solutions. 

This can include preparing new parents for their responsibility to devote time and attention to their children’s development. Parenting education could be made a required subject for high schoolers to help them understand what is expected of them when they become parents. 

By focusing on prevention, building resilience, and fostering a strong sense of community, we can work together to stem the tide of future addiction and homelessness in Hawaii. It is not just about treatment – it’s about creating a society where recovery and healing is supported at every level. 

Join us in this vital work. Whether by volunteering, donating, or simply spreading awareness, every action helps build a more resilient Hawaii. The journey to recovery is complex, but with aloha, compassion, and a holistic approach, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of those affected by substance use disorders for generations to come.