Profiles
In Courage
Woman
Creates Refuge from 'Ice' Problem in Kohala
by Betsy Tranquili, West Hawaii Today, August 2005
This Nani
Svendsen never asked for this purpose in life. But it chose her anyway.
She never
asked to have a son become addicted to crystal methamphetamine, or "ice,"
but that's what she has. And because of that, all she wanted was refuge
from that world -- from the worrying, from the crying, from the tremendous
heartache.
She found
refuge in a 2-acre Kohala plot of land that her family has owned for
seven generations, that existed and was cultivated by Native Hawaiians
before King Kamehameha's time. She built a cabin, cleared a pathway
and dug her hands in the dirt to begin taro patches.
Outside
of her garden, she began lobbying hard and with the help of the Big
Island Substance Abuse Council (BISAC) helped open a drug treatment
center in North Kohala. Eventually, a non-profit organization sprung
up, the North Kohala Community Resource Center, which runs more than
30 community projects for the area.
But inside
the garden was her own time, her "sanctuary" as she puts it.
At the
urging of her supporters at BISAC, she realized there was more potential
for growth on her land, more of a chance to reach out and repair the
pain that drugs cause the community. She opened the taro patch to recovering
addicts, who diligently came and helped clear the area, to meditate,
to support each other in recovery and ultimately support this hurting
mother.
"I
realized that if I didn't do anything, I would be part of the problem.
I didn't want that. I wanted to be part of the solution," Svendsen
told a group of concerned citizens, counselors, and legal and health
care professionals at a Meth Seminar at the Kona Mason Lodge recently.
"I didn't plan on opening this land up. It was supposed to be mine.
But the taro patches give a cultural connection to people, which helps
in addiction and recovery."
Given the growing ice problem on the island, the lack of medical treatment
available and the toll it's taking on the community, Svendsen's story
is the type of action more people in the medical and legal community
are hoping for to rid the island of this growing problem.
Ice is
"no doubt the worst drug I've seen in my 16 years as a judge and
my 16 years as a prosecuter," said Judge Ronald Ibarra, who spoke
at the seminar about the Big Island Drug Court, which helps rehabilitate
nonviolent drug offenders. "Substance abuse affects everyone in
the community. We pay for it directly or indirectly. ... The ice, or
substance abuse problem in this county, has to be addressed by everyone
in this community."
Svendsen
is doing her part to that effect. Today, Svendsen has developed a 10-year
plan for her land, which now has five taro patches, a fish pond and
a meditation center where the recovering addicts congregate every Wednesday
to meditate. There's no electricity and never will be to keep with the
theme of connecting with the roots of the land.
She's
also turned the spot into a learning center, bringing school children,
special education students and volunteer workers to help the area grow
and to help Native Hawaiians connect with their roots and ultimately
back with each other.
"My
wife and I have been up there, and it really had a profound impact on
us," said Dr. Howard Hall, a counselor with the University of Hawaii
Hilo. "There is something sacred about that place. It is remarkable."
While
Svendsen has watched people grow in recovery as her taro patches grow
on the land, her heart still aches and her voice still quivers when
she speaks about her son, who now lives in Oklahoma with other family
members. Despite holding a steady job, he is still struggling with addiction
and has yet to seek out treatment.
After
losing touch with him for about five years, she decided to bring a video
of the taro patch to show her son on a recent visit, bringing tears
to his eyes and telling her how much he respects her for creating this
wonderful place.
"I
couldn't help my son, but maybe I can help someone else," Svendsen
said. "Maybe the universe will bless him with someone who can help."
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