rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Situational analysis of drug and alcohol issues and responses in the Pacific
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However, it is contended that the inclusion
of alcohol in the review will see some quite
unique factors contributing to the situation
in Samoa. It is well recognised that Samoans
living in New Zealand are a vulnerable group
for alcohol issues, hence the large number
of studies into consumption. Also reported
is an alcohol-related manslaughter, where
the convicted man was not under the influence
of drugs, but the victim and his friend
were reported to be drunk and seeking drugs
(marijuana) from the fisherman. 664
Research undertaken in 1993 looking at
health symptoms in Samoan communities
in Samoa, American Samoa and Hawaii indicates
that there are significant differences
in stressors on health. Significantly for this
analysis, alcohol was a key differentiating
factor, with consumption and associated
health symptoms less in Samoa. The study
proposes the view that modernisation is a
key contributing factor to the differences
and to the emergence of health symptoms. 665
This may undermine the view that trends of
drug and alcohol use in American Samoa
or in Samoan residents in New Zealand can
inform the situation in Samoa. Still it may
provide data to identify and enhance protective
factors in each setting.
WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office, reporting
on recorded alcohol consumption
per capita, noted as part of its 2004 global
survey that there are no survey data for
self-reported consumption or the illicit manufacture
of beverages in Samoa. Types of
alcohol consumed include fa’amafu (to ferment)
or pulu (brew), with an alcohol content
of 10–25 per cent, which is cheaper
than palagi (European alcohol), which is
lower in alcohol content. Sini ai-vao (bush
gin) and sipili ai-vao (bush spirits) are both
made from fermented fruits and are stronger
than the homebrews mentioned above. Historically
matai have had a say in how alcohol
supply is regulated, prohibiting it in
the 1950s. The WHO report contends that
this restriction may have contributed to the
flourishing homebrew ‘industry’. 666
A 2002–03 study of Pacific Islanders living
in New Zealand included Samoans as part
of the study group, which showed fewer Pacific
Islanders drink than the general population
of New Zealand, but those who do
drink, drink more and face more harms. 667
In March 2006 the Alcohol Advisory Council
of New Zealand developed guidelines titled
Alcohol, Your Community and You, available
in English and Samoan, which break myths,
highlight case studies where alcohol has a
negative impact, and provide accurate information
and details for support services.
A similar set of guidelines is available via the
website for the Samoa Ministry of Health’s
Healthy Lifestyle program.
664 Melani Pini, Deadly catch for fisherman, Samoalive News, 18 October 2008.
665 J. Hanna & M. Fitzgerald (1993), Acculturation and symptoms: a comparative study of reported
health symptoms in three Samoan communities. Social Science and Medicine, 36(9): 1169–1180.
666 Country profile for Samoa in WHO (2004), Global Status Report on Alcohol 2004: Western Pacific
region. Geneva: WHO.
667 J. Huakau et al. (2005), New Zealand Pacific peoples’ drinking style: too much or nothing at all?
New Zealand Medical Journal, 118(1216): U1491.