Apia, Samoa – Tuesday 8 September 2026. SAY NO TO DRUGS. SAY NO TO VIOLENCE. SAY YES TO HOPE. That is the motto of the collaborative Lalaga-le-Va initiative that was launched this week by Prime Minister Hon Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt.
Laaulialemalietoa delivered the keynote address to mark the first phase of the project which is an evidence-informed national engagement focused on drugs, violence, prevention and community safety.
Lalaga-le-Va was initially developed by the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs, for the National Taskforce on Drugs and Violence coordinated by MFSA, in close collaboration and partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, the Ministry of Police & Prisons, and others.
At the launch, Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa called for early and collective action, stressing that Samoa cannot ignore the seriousness of the challenges now emerging.
“O nei fa‘afitauli e lē tatau ona tatou taumafai e ‘alo ai, fa‘atatafa, fa‘ataligatuli pe tatou te fa‘atamala fo‘i iai..
“Aiseā? Auā ua tatou va‘aia le ogaoga, le lamatia ma le puapuagatia ua amata ona alia‘e i totonu o si o tatou atunu‘u pele. O le mau fa‘avae: O ananafi na tapena ai le asō, a o le asō e tapena ai taeao.”
The Prime Minister stressed that drugs and violence are not problems we can avoid, push aside, ignore or neglect.
“We are already seeing their seriousness, the risks they present, and the suffering beginning to emerge within our beloved country,” said Laaulialemalietoa. “Yesterday prepared us for today, and today must prepare us for tomorrow.”
The Prime Minister’s message set the tone: what Samoa does today will shape the type of Samoa that would be inherited by our children.
Today was not simply the launch of another awareness programme. It was the first talanoa under the national Lalaga le Vā initiative.
It brought together Government and community leaders to listen, identify risks and service gaps, and move from discussion to practical action.
Lalaga le Vā: Strengthening the Relationships That Protect Us.
In the opening devotion, Father Manuele Vito reflected on the deeper meaning of le vā, the relationship between people and God, and with one another.
“O le vā e fa‘atusa i le vā o le tagata soifua ma Lē na Foafoa, le vā lea o le tagata ma le Atua. Tatou tapena auala lelei, auala o le filemu, auala o le Atua… Ia fa‘aleleia le vā ma i latou o loo ita mai… Ia fusu ma le amio ae lē o le tino.”
“The vā reflects our relationship with our Creator and with one another. We must build pathways of goodness and peace, restore relationships, and challenge harmful behaviour rather than the person.”
CEO of the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs said that is the foundation of Lalaga le Vā. “To strengthen relationships with self, with God, with family, neighbours and community, and weaving them together with leadership, prevention and services that ensures support reaches our people early.”
Welcoming participants, Afioga Papali‘i John Taimalelagi, CEO of the Ministry of Justice and Courts Administration, echoed the Prime Minister’s call for collective actio: “Drugs and violence do not sit within one Ministry, and neither can the solution. We must work together from prevention and early intervention to justice, rehabilitation and reintegration.”
PACT Samoa, the National Taskforce on Drugs and Violence brings together Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration – Samoa, Ministry of Family and Social Affairs and Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services, with support from Health and Education, recognising that these issues require a coordinated national response.
What Urban Upolu Communities Told Government
Community leaders raised five clear priorities under the banners of prevention, leadership, pathways and Police cooperation, rehabilitation and counselling.
1) earlier prevention within families, villages, churches and schools;
2) stronger family, village and traditional leadership;
3) stronger reporting pathways and Police–community cooperation;
4) rehabilitation, counselling andk reintegration alongside enforcement; and
5) clearer pathways to Police, Justice, Health, mental health, counselling and MFSA support.
Particular concern was raised for children and young people, including the need for earlier intervention, mentoring, structured youth activities and open conversations about drugs, violence, choices and consequences.
A strong message from the talanoa was: “Prevention must begin in the family and village.”
“We must act early, support our young people, report concerns and work together.”
Leaders also highlighted the strength of Samoa’s aiga, churches, village councils, women’s committees, youth groups and traditional leadership.
From Talanoa to Action
Community leaders identified practical actions to strengthen village and district prevention such as holding regular youth and family talanoa.
Strengthening village by-laws and early reporting was another issue raised as well as ensuring adequate referrals to counselling, mental health and rehabilitation services.
There was also a call to strengthen cooperation with Police, and support rehabilitation and reintegration for young offenders.
The priorities and commitments gathered today will be documented and analysed through the Lalaga le Vā Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, coordinated by the Ministry of Family and Social Affairs.
“This will help the National Taskforce identify emerging risks and follow up commitments,” said MFSA CEO Loau. “It helps to identify service and referral gaps, and strengthen prevention through community voice, data and evidence,” she added.
Today’s Urban Upolu engagement is the first phase of an ongoing national programme that will progressively reach districts and communities across Samoa.
Lalaga le Vā will also connect with youth-focused prevention initiatives under HOPE SAMOA, SAY NO, using music, performance and youth leadership to promote positive choices, prevention and hope.
Today marks the beginning of a national process where communities are not simply spoken to, they are listened to; commitments are followed up, and Government agencies respond together alongside them.
Implementation of Lalaga le Vā and related prevention and community engagement activities is supported through the Australia – Samoa Partnership and UNICEF Pacific/Japan funding.
Issued jointly by: Ministry of Justice & Courts Administration – Samoa, Ministry of Family and Social Affairs, Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services.
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