Senator Galeai calls hearing on drugs in school

coach-pooch

Lawmakers are disturbed by news that many high school students are using drugs.

The latest report of suspected drug use involves Fagaitua High School students who were caught by the janitor smoking marijuana inside the bathrooms.

KHJ News reported on the story yesterday.

Today Senator Galea’i Tu’ufuli, Chairman of the Government Operations Committee scheduled a hearing with officials of the Department of Education, and Public Safety for tomorrow morning.

The Principal of Faga’itua High School, Suaese Pooch Ta’ase, is also to appear.

Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Togafau said the use of drugs in school is a grave matter which must be addressed.

He said it’s up to senators bring these issues to light so they can find out the root of the problem and identify solutions.

DOE sources said that the department is investigating the truth of the KHJ News report.

Two parents contacted KHJ News last month wondering why there had not been any stories on students found using marijuana at Fagaitua high school.

The school janitor is reported to have found a group of boys smoking marijuana in the bathroom and the boys were suspended by the principal.

Other students then began telling on other classmates who were doIng the same thing and several more were suspended.

All this time the school did not file a report of marijuana possession to police.

We sent questions to the principal but he never responded.

We sent another email two weeks ago and his reply was that our questions have been sent to his supervisor whom he did not identify.

Meanwhile, a concerned faipule who preferred that he not be named told KHJ News that while the latest report is from Faga’itua High School, he believes that every high school has students who are not only using drugs but also involved in distribution.