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“DRUGS, SHOOTING AND PROMISES”

Dear Editor,

 

I am grateful that Gov. Lolo in his State of the Territory address has provided us with an excellent accounting for 2014 and review of future economic forecasts and concerns for the interest of American Samoa.

 

 Senator Galeai’s passionate commitment to include the support of members of the House of Representatives and Senate, adds warmth for our comfort.  He believes in collaboration with all branches of the government, so they can come up with a strategic plan to corner the drug trafficking and the protection of our police officers. This makes me feel a bit safer.

 

I am grateful for Mr. Save Tuitele for stepping up to the plate that has inherited years of negligence, abuse and major unresolved internal issues. Documented and reported malfeasance within the department leadership, the Tafuna Correctional Facility’s revolving door and the Fire Dept. have been overshadowed by political transfers. Eroded by time are also the unsolved disappearance of weapons and drugs from the Evidence Room and Customs Dept. These have been on the books for the past 20 years, from the last administration.

 

This last episode of a TCF officer unauthorized and unsupervised transporting of drug offender convicts has brought to the forefront the Juvenile Detention activities that have been kept in the shadows. It was also reported in 2014 that a detained juvenile was allowed the freedom of driving a patrol vehicle at night with a police officer, and there has been horrendous sexual abuse within the Juvenile facility.

 

If we really want to make a dent into the drug trafficking world within our islands, and repairing the fractured border controls, I would venture, an unannounced random drug testing or screening with the first responders taking the lead i.e.: the Dept. of Public Safety, Fire, EMS, DOH, LBJ, Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs — to include all border patrols (with the commitment from the Governor and Fono, funding is not a barrier).

 

It is the most effective way of weeding out those involved with the criminal activities.

 

Then the next group of interest will be the Pulenu’u/Samoan Affairs. (The Pulenu’u know more of what is happening within the confines of their villages.) It would be interesting to know how many of them are aware of the users, movers and shakers. I know the Chief Justice often verbalizes, ”who checks/polices the authorities?”

 

If this simple procedure cannot be performed within this administration, the Governor’s concerns and Senator Galeai’s plea for collaborative unity to protect the community from illegal use of firearms and trafficking of substance abuse… are moot.

 

Our reality is, anyone who engages in the benefits of illegal drug trafficking, uses or collaterally uses weapons to terrorize or steal, thinks they are ABOVE THE LAW until apprehended and prosecuted.

 

Where do you stand? We are all held accountable for our lack of, or proactive stands against drug and weapons trafficking.

 

Happy New Year,

 

Ipu Avegalio Lefiti

Advocate Against Family Violence