A question from Tafuna High School’s Student Body President Pele Kruse at the school’s gubernatorial forum last week.
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The Lemanu and Talauega team acknowledged that the territory has a drug problem and also that there are people trying to do something about it.
Lt Governor candidate and former Attorney General Talauega Eleasalo Ale said they also acknowledge that due to the culture enforcement of drug laws and reporting those doing or selling drugs was difficult.
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Talauega said there must be recognition that drug usage and addiction is an illness and we need doctors to fix those with the illness. He said we do not have facilities to rehabilitate drug addicts. He stated if the territory has a viable economic system people will not turn to drugs as an occupation but would get legal jobs.
Responding for the I’aulualo Tapaau team was Tapaau Dan Mageo Aga, he lt governor candidate.
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Tapaau said another two week program should follow the first phase to keep the user off drugs and the territory doesn’t have that. He said what’s also needed is drug prevention and mental health education in the schools.
I’aulualo Faafetai Talia said he takes the drug issue personally because someone is living a good life at the expense of our children. He said their team would elevate Customs to an enforcement agency and ask the federal government for assistance.
He said the drug problem needs the help of the whole community to resolve.
