The silent Epidemic
Letter published Samoa Observer 18/01/10
The Silent Epidemic
I thank the Samoa Observer for the Editorial (11.01.10) – ‘Samoa cannot expect to be immune from the drugs menace’ by Russell Hunter.
Yes indeed another global threat!
The illegal drug trade that is silently invading Samoa is unstoppable in both developed and developing countries. It should therefore be given top priority in Samoa in order to save our future generations from its deadening, costly resource- draining consequences.
Commenting from a perspective of living in Australia for the last thirty years, and several decades working in the health care services, I can say that the enormous destruction to young people (the blind victims who then continue as adult customers of the trade), the suffering of families involved, the use of services e.g. hospital emergencies, police and prisons, courts/ legal, mental health, are all too common and never ending.
A study published in January 2010, reports on forensic pathologists findings of sudden deaths now linked to abuse of illicit drugs especially cocaine. Post mortems reveal evidence of cardiac and brain damage/changes.
The link between marijuana and the development of schizophrenia is already evidenced in many of our island drug abuse sufferers.
Whilst the profits from the illegal drug trade amounts to billions of dollars, those that benefit care nothing about our future generations in the islands.
Samoa’s priority is to stop supply entering the islands thus severing the link to the global trade. Find and destroy any illegal crops that have found their way to Samoan soil. Be alert to the symptoms of drug abuse. Be aware that custodial confinement is not a deterrent.
Education, and a cooperative island approach between government, church, village system and non-government groups is yet to be trialled to the full extent.
Ma le fa’aaloalo lava,
Meripa Weir
The Silent Epidemic
I thank the Samoa Observer for the Editorial (11.01.10) – ‘Samoa cannot expect to be immune from the drugs menace’ by Russell Hunter.
Yes indeed another global threat!
The illegal drug trade that is silently invading Samoa is unstoppable in both developed and developing countries. It should therefore be given top priority in Samoa in order to save our future generations from its deadening, costly resource- draining consequences.
Commenting from a perspective of living in Australia for the last thirty years, and several decades working in the health care services, I can say that the enormous destruction to young people (the blind victims who then continue as adult customers of the trade), the suffering of families involved, the use of services e.g. hospital emergencies, police and prisons, courts/ legal, mental health, are all too common and never ending.
A study published in January 2010, reports on forensic pathologists findings of sudden deaths now linked to abuse of illicit drugs especially cocaine. Post mortems reveal evidence of cardiac and brain damage/changes.
The link between marijuana and the development of schizophrenia is already evidenced in many of our island drug abuse sufferers.
Whilst the profits from the illegal drug trade amounts to billions of dollars, those that benefit care nothing about our future generations in the islands.
Samoa’s priority is to stop supply entering the islands thus severing the link to the global trade. Find and destroy any illegal crops that have found their way to Samoan soil. Be alert to the symptoms of drug abuse. Be aware that custodial confinement is not a deterrent.
Education, and a cooperative island approach between government, church, village system and non-government groups is yet to be trialled to the full extent.
Ma le fa’aaloalo lava,
Meripa Weir
posted by Meripa Weir at 12:27 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home