Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The alleged lack of awareness programs disseminated after 2019 by the Governor’s Drug Control Office has drawn criticism in the House of Representatives over its half-a- million dollar budget under Special Programs allocated for this initiative for FY2023.

Rep. Luaitaua Gene Pan said the current budget has an allocation of $500,000 and it begs the question of what is the funding for when there are no public “awareness” programs and if there are, it certainly is not public enough. 

Luaitaua told Samoa News that in 2019 there were non-stop awareness programs such as the “Ku’u Loa” initiative, which he called a massive campaign.

Governor Lemanu P. S Mauga during his State of the Territory address pointed out that during FY 2022 the Governor’s Drug Control Office conducted 23 workshops targeting schools, government agencies, village youth groups, faith-based organizations, and summer youth programs.

 “There were a total of 890 participants (ages 8 to 69) in attendance.”

According to Lemanu a compilation of the American Samoa Assessment Report highlights the critical and severe drug problem that extends beyond marijuana.

 “American Samoa is no longer "isolated" from global drug concerns, as seen by the introduction of methamphetamine in 1999 and confiscations of cocaine in recent years.

 “Methamphetamine has recently supplanted marijuana as the most serious drug threat in American Samoa.

 “Local law enforcement authorities point to rising methamphetamine abuse as the cause for a rise in violent crime in the territory.”

The lawmaker asked for a copy of a report on the campaign awareness programs conducted by the task force since 2019.

 “We should be able to see data of the alleged campaign conducted by the task force. This is a huge problem in the territory and if the awareness programs are not working, the government should revisit their strategies,” he said.

Lemanu also cited the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Council (CSAC) that was established to combat illegal drug use and substance abuse having a significant impact on those who are addicted, their families, and the Territory of American Samoa.

 “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.

 “The government action requires participation of senior government leaders and frontline staff who directly interact with those impacted by substance abuse.”

 The CSAC is chaired by Lt Gov Talauega E. V Ale and comprises cabinet directors and senior government 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, according to the governor’s written report.

The Council has three subcommittees: Prevention (outreach), Enforcement and Treatment & Rehabilitation; and, it meets quarterly to discuss recommendations and goals discussed at the Committee level.

Last year the Lemanu and Talauega Administration moved to expand the power of arrests of suspected drug users and traffickers to airport security officers, homeland security agents and customs officers, in light of the increase in the smuggling of methamphetamine (meth) into the territory. 

However it was denied in the Fono.

BenarNews reported that Police Commander Falanaipupu Taase Sagapolotuele, who has been with the Department of Public Safety for over 30 years, said that in his career as a law enforcement officer for the territory, there is a drastic number of arrests made in relation to drug cases.

(BenarNews is an online news service affiliated with Radio Free Asia that reports in five languages: Bengali, Thai, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and English.)

“It's evident the territory has a drug problem and over the last six years, the government established a Drug Task Force, but no solutions are coming out from that task force,” he told BenarNews.

Pacific island countries are a key link in the drug trafficking networks run by Asian, Mexican and South American crime syndicates that deliver meth and cocaine to lucrative Australian and New Zealand markets, according to a Lowy Institute analysis published last year. 

The Pacific “drug highway” has spilled over into local illicit drug consumption and sometimes production, it said. 

However, Sen. Malaepule Fuena Moliga said he was wary of expanding powers of arrest. Each government department has specific responsibilities and duties and should not intrude into police work, he said.

“If anyone breaks the law, they need to report it to the police officers and let them do their job,” said Malaepule, a former prison warden. 

Police in American Samoa say they have been making drug arrests almost every week in a territory that has a population of only 50,000 people. 

“We don't have any evidence there is a lab to make meth on the island, therefore it’s being smuggled into the territory through our borders,” said Sagapolotuele.

Simultaneous raids by armed officers on homes in the villages of Petesa and Fagaima in December had a typical haul of marijuana and meth valued at about U.S. $10,000 and glass pipes used to smoke meth.  

Police data from the April-June quarter of 2022 show 56 drug arrests.

 “The government needs the flexibility to address evolving law enforcement needs,” Gov. Lemanu said.

American Samoa has one police officer for about every 415 residents, a low ratio compared with wealthier countries, according to Director of Homeland Security Semo Veavea Samana.

Low police numbers underscore the reality of why the department merits the power of arrest, to alleviate the strain on other law enforcement agencies, he said.

The unimpeded flow of narcotics, he said, “is eroding the cultural fabric of our communities.”