The leader of the Catholic Church in American Samoa, Bishop Peter Brown, has offered support to Governor Lolo Moliga’s efforts to combat the territory’s drug problem.
And he is hoping that churches will stand together in this fight.
The bishop wrote to Governor Lolo last week commending and offering the support of the Catholic Church For recent initiatives reported in the media to address “a growing critical illicit drug problem in our community which is especially affecting our youth.”
The bishop referred to the task force that the government is establishing to formulate strategies to remove the scourge of drugs in the territory.
He told Governor Lolo, “As an organization deeply involved in the spiritual and community care of people in American Samoa we are fully supportive of this initiative taken by the Government.
“Also with 18 parishes and five schools on Island we are very much aware of the proliferation of illicit drugs available to our young people today.”
Bishop Brown wrote, “By this letter, I wish to offer any assistance to the Task Force that we can provide or maybe of use in establishing a meaningful response to this important community issue in American Samoa.
The Catholic leader also suggested that churches in the territory combine to help the government in the effort to stamp out drugs, seeing that churches are located in villages close to the young people.
