The Government has begun its screening programme for public servants after a worker in another branch of government was found to be involved in drug-related offending.
The man was removed from his job. He later went with his father to the Office of the Prime Minister to ask for his help.
Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoe Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt said he delivered a direct message to the young man and his father when they came to seek his help.
“Why don’t you consider the position I am in? You should have taught your son properly.”
The Prime Minister said his position does not mean he should go easy on someone accused of having a major role in concealing, enabling and carrying out offences involving methamphetamine, marijuana and other illegal drugs in the country.
Under the rules followed by the Ministry of Police, people charged over illegal drugs are expected to face imprisonment, although the final decision rests with the Court.
The screening process is beginning with the country’s leadership, including Cabinet, the Speaker and Parliament, as well as the Chief Justice and court staff, to determine whether anyone tests positive for methamphetamine.
All government workers will also be screened, and their participation will be compulsory.
A new condition has also been introduced requiring anyone applying for a government job to go through screening first, so there is no doubt about their suitability before they begin serving the country.
Fai muamua le siaki, ae lei talosaga mo se avanoa faigaluega
Ua tau le ai o le polokalame a le Malo ua faagasolo ai le siaki a ona tagata faigaluega, ina ua maua ai le tasi o alii galue i se isi itutino o le Malo.
Na tulia mai i le galuega lea alo o Samoa, ae afea ai le Ofisa o le Palemia e lea lava alii ma lona tuaa, e faatagisia sefesoasoani a le Malo.
Na saunoa le afioga i le Palemia, na molioo lava lana feau i le tama lea ma lona alo, ina ua sulu atu ia te ia mo sefesoasoani.
“E iai sou mafaufau ia te au ma le tofiga o loo tauave nei? Sa tatau ona aoai lelei lou atalii.”
E le manatu le susuga i le Laaulialemalietoe Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, e avea lona tofiga e faigofie ai ona magalo le tagata ua tele lona sao i le faalafi, faamaite ma le faagasoloina o soligatulafono tau i aisa, mariuana ma soose fualaau faasaina i le atunuu.
O le tulafono o loo i le Matagaluega o Leoleo e limataitaina ai faaiuga mo tagata e molia ona o fualaau faasaina, e tatau ona soloatoa i le falepuipui, ae e fua lava i le faaiuga a le Faamasinoga.
O loo amata mea le Taitai o le atunuu ma le Kapeneta, Fofoga Fetalai ma le Palemene, atoa ma le Faamasino Sili ma lona auvaa i le faia o siaki e iloa ai po ua iai se tasi ua maua i le aisa.
O le a mataituina uma foi tagata faigaluega uma, e tatau ona faamalosia lo latou auai.
Ua fanau mai ai ma le tuutuuga, e tatau i soo se tagata e tusitalosaga mo avanoa faigaluega i le Malo, ona uia le faitotoa lea o siaki, ina ia aua nei lualuagia finagalo ao sauni e tautua mo le atunuu.
