Ineffective enforcement of local laws on drugs contribute to the rapid and increasing consumption and abuse of illegal substances in the territory.
That’s the conclusion of a panel during the Behavioral Health Summit last week, which looked at the territory’s drug problem.
During the panel, led by Mr. Brian Loma of the American Samoa Alliance Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse, members pointed out that while the law is clear that possession of marijuana is an offence, many such cases never made it to the court room.
It was reported that several possession cases are handled by the village council and never get reported to police.
Panelists expressed concern that cases which are not turned over to authorizes would not go through evaluation for perpetrators who may need mental assessment and counseling.
They came to the conclusion that a commission is needed to review the territory’s drug laws .
Such a group would also devise an effective and strategic plan to counter or decrease the influx and consumption of drugs in American Samoa.
