rp21 situational analysis - Pacific Health Voices

Non-government organisations
The Samoa Umbrella for Non-Governmental
Organisations (SUNGO) membership database
lists 87 members, the majority of which do
not work in health-related services and none
has a clear mandate for drug and alcohol
service provision. However, many of these
NGOs do work in youth and women’s support
and development services and may be
a source of future service providers in the
alcohol and other drugs field.
Regulation
Agreements under the GATS and GATT have
the potential to impact on the Samoan Government’s
ability to control alcohol supply,
production, distribution, taxation and regulation.
The legal drinking age in Samoa is
18 years. 685
With respect to diversion of pharmaceutical
drugs, there are existing regulations preventing
the supply of pseudoephedrine to the same
buyer within a week. However, the key informant
for this research noted that the prescribed
recording process is not adhered to.
11.6 Australian involvement
Australia contributes an estimated 30 per
cent of Samoa’s bilateral aid (approximately
AU$20 million). It is a partner with New Zealand
in the development and implementation
of the Joint Samoa Program Strategy
(JSPS) 2006–2010. Australia leads the strategy
in public sector reform and law and justice
initiatives. 686 The JSPS highlights youth
vulnerability due to lack of employment opportunities
and low cultural status. Reports
show an increase in suicide and substance
use. Community development, including
strengthening the police force and building
community linkages, is a key part of the
2006–2010 JSPS and can potentially include
strategies to address drug and alcohol issues.
Australian Agency for
International Development
The law and justice system component of
the JSPS advocates the integration of modern
and traditional systems. Specifically the
program includes addressing domestic violence,
which needs to be considered in the
context of substance use.
141
685 International Center for Alcohol Policies, Minimum Age Limits Worldwide: table available at:
(accessed April 2009).
686 Governments of Samoa, Australia and New Zealand (2006), Joint Samoa Program Strategy
2006–2010, available at: .
Samoa