WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye is pleased to announce that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, under the 1997 Public and Indian Housing Drug Elimination Program, awarded a $1.3 million grant to the Hawaii Housing Authority for the prevention, reduction and elimination of drug-related crime in targeted housing projects on the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui and Kauai.

"This needed program will provide assistance to 1,074 families statewide, creating safer public housing communities by eliminating crime and drug use. These families will be able to enter drug prevention and family enhancement programs involving recreational, cultural, visual and performing arts activities, improving their quality of life," said Senator Inouye.

The 1997 Public Housing Drug Elimination Program will use a six pronged approach: 1) weeding out drugs and crime with police intervention; 2) drug prevention; 3) drug intervention; 4) drug treatment; 5) volunteer resident patrols and 6) welfare-to-work efforts to partner with various social service providers, resident organizations and government entities, especially law enforcement and State Department of Human Services Pursuit of New Opportunities Program (PONO). This strategy is based on the "weed and seed" idea of "weeding out" crime and drugs in impacted areas and then "seeding" these areas with programs to reduce and eliminate drugs and crime with preventive and other human service resources to prevent drug and crime from recurring.

The $1.3 million grant will assist 13 public housing communities: Puuwai Momi, Waipahu, Nanakuli, Maili, Waimaha-Sunflower and Kauiokalani on the Island of Oahu, Lanakila Homes on the Big Island, Kapaa, Hanamaulu, and Kekaha on the Island of Kauai, and David Malo Circle, Kahekili Terrace and Makani Kai Hale on the Island of Maui.