Marijuana valued at thousands of tala confiscated by police raid recently.

By Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

The top law enforcer of the country and Minister of Police Sala Fata Pinati has issued a public plea for all residents to assist police with their enforcement to rid Samoa of illegal drugs such as marijuana and crystal meth a.k.a. ice.

Sala made the public appeal after police this week burnt drugs confiscated from recent raids with a street value of thousands of tala.

“Our law enforcers must be commended but with that said, there is a lot that needs to be done to protect our country from the negative social impacts of drugs,” said Sala.

“We certainly need to come up with a permanent solution to stamp out illegal and illicit drug dealings in our country.

“That solution,” urged the Police Minister “should involve village councils.”

“The focus is on notorious villages which for years have been known as hotbed of drugs activities.

“All other villages, we know of, impose stiff penalties – including banishment – on marijuana cultivation and culprits pimping hard illicit drugs in their communities.

“These are villages and their leaderships that value their youth and the well-being of their residents,” continued Sala.

“What I am particularly worried about – and so should everyone – is the impact of a proliferation of drugs will have on our youth and the sure blow it will have on our country’s image abroad.

“Consider the negative profile of Samoa with reports of guns, gunfights, drugs, fallen Police officers, and the presence of crystal meth and drug labs in our country.

“What tourists would want to go to such a place?

“News on the internet and newswires sadly, will cast a pall over this country’s image of friendly folks, peaceful villages, serene landscapes – a preferable tourist attraction,” added the Police Minister.

“Just as tourism numbers and visitor confidence have recovered, the setback posed is a morale killer.

“And what do we owe it to? Drugs.

“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.”

It’s on that note that the Police Minister is appealing for public support to work with police to eliminate the looming catastrophe posed by drugs.

“Protecting our children should be a universal responsibility not only for police but parents, village councils and every Samoa resident must play their role.

“You role as police eyes and ears will help our law enforcers stamp out this nemesis from our peaceful country.

“Any information will be treated with the highest of confidentiality,” reassured the Police Minister.

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