Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a “new approach to solving substance abuse problems” in the territory, Gov. Lemanu Peleti Mauga, has established the American Samoa Comprehensive Substance Abuse Council, to coordinate local efforts to fight drug use through “education, enforcement, and treatment.”

The Council was established by the governor’s May 12 executive order, in which the preamble states in part that “illegal drug use and substance abuse have a significant impact on those who are addicted, their families and American Samoa.”

And “our strategy to respond to substance abuse must be based on evidence and take into consideration the culture of American Samoa and the communities that live in the Territory.”

As the governor’s executive order became public, community members have questioned whether another ASG panel will be able to address the long standing illegal drug problem in the territory.

For example, the previous administration had established a task force to tackle the drug problem, “but nothing has changed,” said one resident, who has retired from government service. “And what, if any, are there any changes to this problem, with the Governor’s Drug Office?”

Of note, there continues to be no specific facility to treat individuals who suffer from drug addiction — something the local courts have pointed out as they continue to pass out jail sentences to drug abuse offenders, who are often ‘repeaters’.

The executive order notes that American Samoa is a participant in the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy on State Strategies to Improve Care for Stimulant Polysubstance use in order to seek new ideas.

And the NGA panel has provided resources for American Samoa to assess existing plans and institutional structures, and develop comprehensive strategies to address substance abuse issues, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office along with the executive order earlier this week.

“For decades the disease of substance abuse, specifically methamphetamines, has impacted our territory; however, we must remain vigilant and tactful in our approach to finding a solution to its devastation,” Lemanu said in the news release.

He also said that he and Lt. Gov. Talauega Eleasalo Ale, stand firm and call upon the Council to do the good work needed to save lives and reduce the terrible effects of illegal drugs on families and villages.

"I believe more involvement from our leaders in government and communities, together with the personnel and volunteers who directly interact with those impacted, will be a powerful stand against this epidemic,” the governor said.

According to the executive order, Talauega chairs the new Council, whose membership includes 16 cabinet directors and senior ASG officials; and three-at-large members who are appointed by the Governor for a term of one year and may include representatives of private business, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups or consumers.

As of yesterday morning, the Governor’s Office had yet to publicly release names of the three at-large-members.

Talauega is quoted in the Governor’s Office news release as saying that: "We want to make it clear that the council's mission includes education, enforcement, and treatment, and supports the initiatives to assist law enforcement duties further."

According to the executive order, the Council will coordinate their agencies' activities to eliminate substance abuse in American Samoa; and seek stakeholders in the government and the community to address substance abuse issues.

Furthermore, the Council is charged with developing policies that reduce the effects of illegal drug use and substance abuse on families and children; and provide advice to the Governor on legislation and activities that are designed to reduce or eliminate substance abuse in American Samoa.

The order also allows the Council to organize working groups of operational staff from multiple agencies and organizations to promote interagency cooperation. Work group shall include, at a minimum: education and outreach; enforcement and investigation; and treatment and rehabilitation.

The Council — which will be supported by three organizations including the Governor’s Drug Control Office — may form other working groups as it sees fit and the working groups are encouraged to have annual town hall meetings that are open to the public.

Additionally, the Council will meet once per quarter, and will have one annual town-hall style meeting open to the public.

“The approaches that are recommended or implemented by the Council and their supporting working groups will change as we determine what does and does not work as we confront substance abuse,” according to the executive order, which also encouraged Council members to be open and creative as they develop new solutions.

The new Council comes at a time when more and more drug cases come before the court prompting concerns from the community and lawmakers — who have been calling on the Executive Branch for the establishment of a drug treatment facility in the territory for drug users, instead of sending them to jail upon conviction.