Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The launch of Governor Pulaali'i Nikolao Pula's planned anti-drug awareness campaign next month comes at a critical time for American Samoa, as growing concerns mount over the spread of illegal drugs throughout the Territory. 

Over the past several years, community leaders, law enforcement officials, educators, church representatives, and families have increasingly voiced alarm over the widespread presence of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice. Once considered a problem affecting only a limited segment of the population, drug abuse is now viewed as a crisis reaching into nearly every part of society.

Officials say the problem no longer affects only adults. Reports and community observations indicate that drug use is impacting people across multiple age groups, from middle-aged adults and young people, including high school students, to, in some cases, children of elementary school age. 

The growing reach of the drug has heightened concerns about its devastating effects on families, public safety, education, and the overall wellbeing of communities throughout the Territory.

Against this backdrop, Governor Pulaali'i's planned campaign is expected to place renewed public attention on the dangers of substance abuse while encouraging a united response involving government agencies, churches, families, schools, villages, and community organizations. Many believe the drug problem has reached an alarming level and requires a coordinated effort from every sector of society.

The issue came under the spotlight during the final Senate Standing Committee hearing of the 39th Legislature before lawmakers adjourned for their end-of-year recess. Members of the Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee summoned officials from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Customs to explain their ongoing efforts to combat illegal drugs and strengthen border enforcement.

Chief Customs Officer Iuliano Falaniko told senators that Customs personnel detain individuals caught attempting to smuggle drugs through the Territory's ports of entry and immediately refer the cases to Homeland Security investigators. The same procedure applies to individuals who go to the Fagatogo Post Office to collect packages or parcels from off-island that are found to contain concealed narcotics.

Falaniko explained that in previous years such cases were referred directly to the DPS, which would then assume responsibility for detaining suspects and conducting investigations. However, a change in the law has shifted primary responsibility for handling these cases to the DHS.

"The process begins with a referral to the Attorney General," DHS Director Vaeotagaloa Glenn Lefiti explained. "Our responsibility is to conduct the investigation and provide a complete report of our findings. The Attorney General's Office reviews the facts, evaluates the evidence, and determines whether criminal charges are warranted."

The change became official after legislation approved by the Fono last year granted DHS authority to arrest and detain travelers attempting to bring illegal drugs into American Samoa through ports of entry, as well as individuals seeking to claim drug-laden packages arriving from off-island. Under the law, these investigations now fall under the jurisdiction of DHS.

Lefiti emphasized that while Homeland Security has been assigned responsibility for border interdiction and related investigations, DPS continues to focus on local drug enforcement operations within communities. He stressed that both agencies work closely together, along with Customs officials, in identifying, investigating, and apprehending offenders.

The DHS Director also highlighted the department's partnerships with federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), in efforts to protect American Samoa's borders from drug smuggling operations, human trafficking, and other transnational criminal activities.

Several senators, however, expressed concern about what they viewed as overlapping responsibilities between DHS and DPS.

Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono argued that the apparent duplication of duties could be undermining the effectiveness of anti-drug enforcement efforts. He pointed to figures contained in a report submitted by Lefiti indicating that only five drug-related cases had been recorded during 2025.

According to Togiola, that number appeared inconsistent with the numerous arrests reported by DPS during a series of drug raids, as well as the quantities of methamphetamine seized in those operations.

"This doesn't add up," Togiola remarked, questioning whether different agencies were using separate reporting systems that failed to present a complete picture of the Territory's drug problem.

Another issue raised by senators was the growing threat of fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid that has fueled a deadly overdose crisis in many parts of the United States.

At the close of the hearing, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked whether Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Customs were adequately prepared to prevent fentanyl from entering American Samoa and to respond should it gain a foothold in the Territory.

Lefiti's response was blunt.

"No," the Homeland Security Director admitted.

He told lawmakers that American Samoa currently lacks the resources, specialized equipment, and training necessary to effectively address the unique dangers posed by fentanyl. He said DHS is actively pursuing federal grant funding to strengthen detection capabilities and provide advanced training for personnel.

The concerns raised at the hearing highlight the urgency behind Governor Pulaali'i's upcoming anti-drug awareness campaign.

Speaking at a recent press conference, the Governor stressed that defeating the Territory's drug problem will require more than law enforcement efforts alone. He called on families, churches, schools, village leaders, and community organizations to become active partners in the fight against illegal drugs.

He warned that the growing drug epidemic is tearing families apart, contributing to crime, and placing the future of many young people at risk.

"This has become a very serious problem," Pulaali'i said. "We must come together as a community to address it before more lives are lost and more families are harmed."

The campaign, which is scheduled to begin in early November, will be spearheaded by the newly established eight-member Opioid and Substance Abuse Council (OSAC) operating under the Governor's Drug Control Office.

The council has been tasked with coordinating public education campaigns, prevention initiatives, and substance abuse programs throughout the Territory. It will also serve as the government's primary advisory and oversight body for opioid-related and substance abuse initiatives, ensuring compliance with the Opioid Settlement Agreement and its approved abatement strategies.

Members of the council include Assistant Attorney General Louise Lafitaga, Acting Commissioner of Public Safety Lauti Tautalasoo Moliga, Department of Health psychiatrist Dr. Peni Biukoto, Homeland Security Director Vaeotagaloa Glenn Lefiti, Deputy Treasurer Levi Reese, clinical psychologist Dr. Jueta Eta McCutchan, faith-based community advocate Rev. Iasepi Ulu, and victims advocate Ipu Lefiti of the Pae ma le Auli Organization.

The Governor emphasized that while government agencies have a responsibility to enforce the law and provide resources, lasting success will depend on the willingness of the entire community to become involved.

"The government cannot address this alone," he said. "Our families, churches, schools, and villages all have a role in protecting our people and helping prevent drug use in our communities."

As American Samoa prepares for the launch of the campaign, many hope it will mark the beginning of a broader Territory-wide effort to confront a problem that residents, church leaders, lawmakers, and law enforcement officials alike say can no longer be ignored.

BACGROUND

In the meantime, the territory is currently awaiting a new facility that is being built for the comprehensive care for individuals receiving behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse rehabilitation services — the American Samoa Department of Health’s new Behavioral Health & Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Clinic. 

The governor has commended the collaborative efforts of the Department of Health, the ARPA Oversight Office, and all partners involved in moving this project forward. The facility is being built by Silva Group Corporation.