Addressing American Samoa’s Drug Problem Through RESPECT

Restoring and Empowering Samoan Practices for Education, Community, and Transformation

American Samoa is facing a growing crisis that strikes at the heart of our families, communities, and future: substance abuse. What was once whispered about in courtrooms or dismissed as an isolated problem has now become one of the most pressing issues fueling crime and destabilizing lives across the Territory.

We know that drug abuse is not just a health issue — it is also a criminal justice issue, a family issue, and a cultural issue. Far too often, those who fall into addiction end up cycling through our courts and correctional facility. With no in-patient treatment programs locally available, the only “rehabilitation” option many face is incarceration. And yet, incarceration without proper treatment does little to address the underlying struggles of addiction. The result? High recidivism rates, overcrowded court dockets, and a community burdened with repeat offenses.

The Need for a Different Approach

My academic studies in criminology and criminal justice, along with my work inside the justice system, have shown me a fundamental truth: we cannot punish our way out of addiction. True rehabilitation requires treatment, cultural grounding, and empowerment.

This is where RESPECT comes in.

The Heart of RESPECT

RESPECT stands for Restoring and Empowering Samoan Practices for Education, Community, and Transformation.

• Restoring – Healing individuals and communities through practices that honor fa’a Samoa.

• Empowering – Giving people the tools, skills, and confidence to take ownership of their lives.

• Samoan Practices – Using cultural values of respect, service, and community accountability as a foundation for change.

• Education – Opening pathways to learning, vocational training, and lifelong skills.

• Community – Strengthening families, churches, and villages as sources of stability and support.

• Transformation – Reducing recidivism by helping people not just recover, but fundamentally transform their futures.

  
  

A First Step Toward Safer Communities

RESPECT is not a magic solution. It is a first step — one that acknowledges the seriousness of the drug crisis while offering a practical, culturally relevant response.

By starting here, with rehabilitation and reentry, we begin to chip away at the root causes of crime in American Samoa. In doing so, we also create space for future programs under The Line We Hold that can address prevention, youth engagement, and systemic reform.

The journey ahead is long, but this is where we begin: with RESPECT.