Compulsory Drug Testing for all Public Sector Staff to Begin Next Week

2026-03-04 - 17:28

The Prime Minister of Samoa’s declaration of war against drugs continues with confirmation that compulsory testing of the public sector will start next week. All government employees including the Cabinet, are expected to undergo testing. “O le vaiaso fou e faalauiloa aloaia ai le tulaga ua amata ai ona tapena tatou drug tests mo fualaau faasaina.. The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS) are expected to implement the drug testing which was first announced by Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt in late November 2025. The Samoa Prime Minister announced the new public sector wide policy during his weekly press conference on Wednesday, adding that the Cabinet Directive (FK) is part of his Government’s zero tolerance approach to drug use within the Public Sector. “O le a tatala aloaia i le Aso Gafua o le vaiaso fou ona faasolo loa lea i le tulaga aloaia ina ua maea ai tapenaga a le SROS, ma e leai sesi o le aufaigaluega a le malo e le oo iai tests.” The Prime was speaking at his weekly press conference with local media, and stated the move was to ensure the safety of all government ministries and employees from the impact of drugs. Going forward, the Public Service Commission would be imposing drug testing as a mandatory requirement during the recruitment and selection process for government workers, said the Prime Minister. “O lea foi lea ua faatulaga mai ai e le PSC le faamoemoe mo le lumanai. O se tasi lea requirement o le a faataatia, e lē mafai ona faigaluega i le Malo pe a lē aumaia results o test o fualaau faasaina.. “Ina ia malu lelei le mea lea tatou te atugalu ai i le taimi lenei, e lē o toe natia aafiaga ua tatou iai, ma le faamoemoe o le puipuiga o le atunuu.” Asked about consequences of finding staff testing positive for drugs, the Prime Minister said the Office of the Attorney General have been tasked to look into the options available. “The Law is clear that it is illegal for any person to be using or in possession of drugs,” he said. Laaulialemalietoa said the government has taken the lead in this initiative in order to find a solution to the drug problem as soon as possible. “O loo gaioi le tatou Ofisa o le Loiasili.. Manatua o le vaega uma lea e alu e vaavaai poo a aafiaga, ae o loo taatia foi le tulafono o le tagata e tago i fualaau faasaina, ua ia soli le tulafono, ma o loo faataatia aulape o le mataupu.” Laaulialemalietoa also announced that the cost of drug testing being $50 tala per person, will be bourne by each government ministry. “They will be responsible for the cost of their drug tests..” “O le tau na aumai e le SROS e $50tala i le test e tasi, ma e totogi lava la e le matagaluega latou tests mo le SROS, e le faapea e fai fua e le SROS.”