Drug Abuse in the Global Village
Drug Abuse in Asia
Western Samoa
EXTENT, PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE
Extent of Drug Abuse
The severity of drug abuse problem in Western Samoa is comparatively small. Cannabis along volatile solvents are the most abused drugs in Western Samoa. Preparations of 'ava roots (piper methysticum) are used traditionally for social interactions and ceremonies (Samoa 1993).
Estimates on prevalence of drug abuse are not available. There are no registered drug abusers in Western Samoa (U.N. 1986).
Abuser Characteristics
Most drug abusers are adolescents and young adults (Samoa 1993).
Regional Variations
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
Trends
Drug abuse is rapidly escalating in Western Samoa (Samoa 1993).
Mode of intake
Cannabis is smoked while volatile solvents are sniffed (Samoa 1993).
COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE
Some of the increase in crime rate, auto accident deaths, suicide and delinquency are attributed to drug abuse (Samoa 1993).
ACTION TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT INTERNATIONAL DRUG CONTROL TREATIES*
Treaty adherence
Western Samoa is not party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, or the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
NATIONAL RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE
National Strategy
The Narcotics Act 1967 deals with narcotics drugs. The Food and Drugs Act 1967 consolidates the sale of food and drugs. The growth of cannabis sativa and other wild plants are prohibited (Samoa 1993).
The Police and Customs officials are responsible for the curtailment of drug trafficking and eradication of cannabis sativa plantations. The Health Department controls the dispensing and movement of controlled drugs (Samoa 1993).
Through taxation, prices are increased to reduce drug consumption. Advertising and promotional activities on drugs are regulated and restricted (Samoa 1993).
DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
Primary Prevention
Peer-resistance programmes implemented in schools or community settings teach young people about the dangers of drug abuse. Health promotion programmes are aimed to prevent behaviour which are liable for drug abuse. Drug education programmes are aimed at home and community (Samoa 1993).
Treatment and Rehabilitation
During 1990, 1991 and 1992, 18, 23 and 32 drug abusers respectively were treated in the Mental Health Unit in Western Samoa (Samoa 1993).
SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES
Arrests, Convictions and types of Offences
In 1989, 25 cases of possession and cultivation of cannabis plants were prosecuted by the police, and 17 cases were prosecuted during the first eight months of 1990 (ESCAP 1991).
Seizures
No information reported by 31st December 1993.
Supply Sources of Drugs
Cannabis grows wild in Western Samoa. Psychoactive substances are derived from plants such as datura, angels trumpet and mushrooms in cow-dropping (Samoa 1993). Small scale illicit cannabis cultivation in plots of 5 to 10 plants were also detected (ESCAP 1991).
References and notes
* The Legal, Administrative and Other Action Taken to Implement the International Drug Control Treaties section was prepared by the Secretariat of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs based on Annual Reports Questionnaires for the years .... (not yet received from CND)
U.N. 1986. Reply to the UNDCP Annual Reports Questionnaire for the year 1986.
ESCAP 1991. Proceedings of the Meeting of Senior Officials on Drug Abuse Issues in Asia and the Pacific. United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 13-15 February 1991, Tokyo.
Samoa 1993. Country paper. ESCAP Workshop on National Focal Point Drug Abuse Demand Reduction. 18-21 October 1993, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.