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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

D. William Wood, MPH, PhD, Sociology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2424 Maile Way, Room 247, Honolulu, HI 96822, 8089567693, dwwood@hawaii.rr.com

The use and abuse of Methamphetamine has been well documented in Hawaii and the Western United States. The impact of this drug on users and their families, their children, and their communities has been chronicled by the various prevention, treatment and interdiction agencies in all of these areas. What happens when this drug emerges into an area without social resources, without strong prevention programs, without treatment programs, and without strong law enforcement? This paper chronicles the earliest stages of the arrival of crystal methamphetamine into the US territory of American Samoa.

Through an examination of newspaper reports, police records, prison records and court records, as well as treatment and prevention efforts, the events that have occurred over the past three to five years are collected and analyzed. Supplementing those records with in-person interviews with the police, corrections officials and judges as well as news reporters the history of the arrival of “ice” is created. Resulting from those discussions and the reports mentioned, the seeds of a plan for mitigation are developed at the community level.

This is a report of a work in progress to contain the epidemic before it spreads further, to use the methods of the Community Epidemiology Work Group to focus attention on substances of abuse in American Samoa and create ownership of the problem, and, with assistance from the Governor's Office, begin a Task Force to focus on solutions to the problem that harmonize with Fa'a Samoa and the cultural milieu of this territory.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the presentation audience will

• be able to define the nature of the "ice" problem in American Samoa
• be aware of the cultural and social meanings of Fa'a Samoa and its reltionship to human rights
• be aware of where American Samoa is and the nature of its substance abuse problems

Keywords: Substance Abuse Prevention, Community Planning

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation