On Friday, Mayor Billy Kenoi kicked off “Drug-Free Hawaii Awareness Month 2010” with an official proclamation ceremony in his Hilo office.

This month, island schools and service organizations will sponsor activities and events that educate the general public about the negative effects of substance abuse on Hawaii youth.

The mayor was joined by Alan Shinn, Executive Director for the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii, as well as Friday Night Live director Kaleo Evans, councilmember Guy Enriques, Hamakua Youth Foundation director Joel Cohen, and others at the kick-off.

Aired 2/10/2010 – Video by David Corrigan, voice of Tim Bryan

PRIMARY SOURCE: Hawaii County media release

Drug-Free Hawaii Awareness Month (DFHAM) 2010 will kick off with an official proclamation ceremony, “Live Aloha, Live Drug-Free.” hosted by Mayor Billy Kenoi,on Friday, February 5, 2010 at 9:30 am at the Hawai`i County Building located at 25 Aupuni street in Hilo.

“DFHAM allows schools, service organizations, counties, and government agencies opportunities to sponsor activities and events that educate the general public about the negative effects of substance abuse on our youth, families, and communities and what we can do to address the issue,” says Alan Shinn, Executive Director for the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawaii. Formed in 1987 out of a spirit of business and community concern, CDFH has become a highly regarded leader in the substance abuse prevention field in Hawai`i.

Other speakers will include Kaleo Evans, director of Friday Night Live, a program that  builds partnerships for positive and healthy youth development which engages youth as active leaders and resources in their own communities, and Joel Cohen, director of The Hamakua Youth Foundation a program which focuses on prevention of risky behavior, isolation, drug and alcohol use by engaging youth in environmental stewardship, providing Hawaiian culture and arts education, developing youth leadership, and connecting youth and their families with local social service agencies.

Hawai’i County Council Member Guy Enriques of Ka’u who was head coach at Konawaena, Ka‘u and Kamehameha Hawai’i High Schools will also have share a positive message.  An inspiring and engaging speaker, Enriques is entering his 23rd year as the owner/director of one of the largest team volleyball camps in the country.

For more information and ways to get involved now and throughout the year, call Kalani Kahalioumi at 808-961-8860.

Fighting the public health threat of fake drugs