MPs to be Drug Tested before they can Run for Parliament

2026-03-20 - 20:15

Samoa’s war against drugs will extend to ensuring Parliamentarians are drug free before entering an election. That is the stance of Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa in response to questions from local media at this weeks press conference. The compulsory drug testing of all publuc servants will come under a blanket policy of the Public Service Commission, the Prime Minister reiterated. The PSC have updated its policies to include compulsory drug testing as part of employee contracts and working conditions. “This is placed with PSC because they are the employers of all public servants, said the Prime Minister, and that includes everyone, even Members of Parliament,” said Laaulialemalietoa. “E oo foi ia matou. A sau le faipule e alu i le palota, sei vagana e test atu e negative ona faatoa mafai lea ona alu..” Members of Parliament who wish to run an election must first test negative before they can run, says the Prime Minister; and that stance has been emphasised by the launch of the SPPCS policy this week – to set standards that begin with every member called to lead by example. As Minister of Police, the Prime Minister said the Samoa Police Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS) did launch its Drug Testing Policy and Procedure this week as a step towards strengthening integrity and accountability within the police force. “The initiative delivers a clear and uncompromising message, drug misuse has no place within an institution entrusted with safeguarding the community,” the SPPCS stated. The Prime Minister said similar policies will unflitrate the whole of Government, through the Public Service Commission.