9 Apr 2007

Call for joint efforts to fight drug problem in two Samoas

9:50 am on 9 April 2007

The ministry of women, community and social development in Samoa says Samoa and American Samoa need to work together to combat their growing drug problem.

A group, including Samoa's Police Minister and Police Commissioner, is due to meet American Samoa's Commissioner of Public Safety this week, to discuss ways to combat drug smuggling between the two countries.

The assistant CEO for the division of youth in the Ministry of women, community and social development, Sydney Faasau, says over the years ice has become more common in the country, with marijuana the most commonly used drug.

Mr Faasau says village chiefs have asked the community to work with the police to fight against the problem, but more needs to be done.

"More policing in terms of the hard drugs coming into the county. There needs to be communication between our two islands, of Samoa and American Samoa. Also, policing in the communities and I guess it's work by everybody involved in promoting awareness programmes on the effects of drugs.."

Sydney Faasau.