Mandatory drug testing for public servants will be more than a requirement but legally armed and supported by a Cabinet Directive, [FK], Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt revealed during his last press conferences.
The Cabinet Directive is part of the new Government’s no nonsense approach to detain drug use within the Public Service but on the bigger picture to eliminate uninvited imported drugs from entering Samoa.
The approved Cabinet FK directs the Public Service Commission to this effect and also compulsory drug testing for new PSC vacancies.
An indication that public servants are taking drugs is evidenced by court convictions of former police officers, Laaulialemalietoa noted, adding records also show that some officers were tested positive for drug use and they have since been dealt with and removed according to the law.
“Government will no longer be complacent,” the Prime Minister warned citing drug traffickers that they are the prime targets of the Government renewed action because it is more than a threat but a reality on its way.
More concerning the Prime Minister shared with the media reports on his desk that illegal drugs have reached school children. It’s a sensitive issue to government because innocent young lives are at stake and he pledged will be dealt with.
The growing drug incidents in Samoa should be a national concern, he said. And as Prime Minister he urges the wider community, the mothers, fathers, every citizen to be involved with tackling the menacing uninvited drugs.
He applauded the initiative by Church Leaders from Aana #4, Fasitoo and Vailu’utai who personally assured him during a meeting that they are ready to work with government in any capacity to save their children by evicting drugs from their constituency, their schools and their homes.
He acknowledged that Samoa’s border which is the sole entry of illegal drugs is also undergoing major improvements.
“We have tasked Customs to identify and submit resources needed to improve their border security especially in Ultra Scans at the wharfs and airports,” the Prime Minister explained.
Currently the domestic airport at Fagalii and Faleolo International Airport have ultra-scans but they do not have the capacity to detect and identify illegal drugs entering the country.
To that effect, the Prime Minister says Customs has been given the greenlight to submit a funding request to Cabinet for the Ultra-Scans and any other resources needed to protect our borders.
In American Samoa this week, as special guests with le Afioga ile Ao o le Malo, his highness the Head of State, to attend the territory’s Legislative Assembly dedication of their new Fale Fono, the Prime Minister notes with determination to pay special attention to arrest the drug trade between the two Samoas.
New Zealand also will be providing two K9 dogs to beef up detection at the airports and police enforcement, he added. The assistance was sealed during his recent medical treatment in Auckland.
Since he arrived in American Samoa, two drug arrests have been made by Customs and Police with drugs found hidden in food items shipped from American Samoa.
“It’s an issue that I will raise with the Governor,” said the Prime Minister.
He also has not made any secrets, in confirming to the media that the inter-island drug menace will be of high priority when the Atoa-Samoa talks resume.
This article was originally published on the Samoa Government Facebook page and is republished with permission. [TAFUNA AM. SAMOA. 28th November 2025]
