By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Since investigations are still pending, we will not delve into the details of what actually happened at Faleatiu early Monday morning.

What we are particularly concerned about – and so should everyone – is the impact of a proliferation of drugs will have on our youth and the sure blow this latest incident will have on our country’s image abroad.

What of guns, gunfights, drugs, fallen Police officers and a dead supposed drug dealer.

What tourists would want to go to such a place?

The news is already on the internet and newswires and, sadly, it will cast a pall over this country’s image of friendly folks, peaceful villages, serene landscapes – a preferable tourist attraction.

Just as tourism numbers and visitor confidence have recovered following the 2009 tsunami, this setback is a morale killer.

And what do we owe it to? Drugs.

We certainly need to come up with a permanent solution to stamp out marijuana growing and dealing in this country.

A solution that should heavily involve village councils. Particularly those in this notorious area, that, for years has been a known hotbed of drugs activity.

All other villages, we know of, impose stiff penalties – including banishment – on marijuana use and cultivation. These are villages and their leaderships that value their youth and the well-being of their residents.

But what of the leadership and village council of Faleatiu?

There are some deep issues, some deep questions their matai have to mull over.

Tourism and our youth are also too important for government not to tolerate the escalating drug problem we have and the growing level of violence it poses.

ZOMBIE NATION

Which reminds of when, at the height of the hippie movement in the 1970s, Singapore’s famous leader Lee Kuan Yew addressed a protest advocating the legalizing of marijuana.

“You want your country to be ruled by zombies?�? Li flatly asked.

“You want your children to walk around like zombies? You want your bus drivers to drive like zombies?�?

This is the impact of drugs we all have to contend with.

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