Senior Judge calls for a collective response to the drugs problem

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 14 May 2025 – The growing problem of drugs and narcotics in our communities is an issue that needs a collective action from Government and everyone to address.

The call was made yesterday at the Pacific Early Childhood Development (ECD) Summit for Workers & Caregivers, by Supreme Court Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.

Justice Nelson was one of the panelists in the ECD & Climate Resilience forum where he talked about how children see their future in the eyes of climate change.

A former Deputy Chairman of the UN Convention for the Rights of Children, Justice Nelson, was at the opening ceremony of the Pacific Early Childhood Summit at Taumeasina Island Resort before joining the Summit at TATTE Conference Centre.

Supreme Court Senior Justice Vui Clarence Nelson presents at the Early Childhood Development Climate Change Resilience Forum.

He said, at the opening, children sat side by side with ministers from around the region and then drew pictures that depicted the future they envisioned for the future.

Whilst some of the children drew pictures of their families, most of them sketched pictures of the environment.

During the Talanoa Session at the Summit, Justice Nelson raised the issue of drugs and narcotics which is becoming prevalent in the community and its impact on younger children.

He referred to a recent court case where the defendant was a young boy involved in methamphetamine considered to be a dangerous drug.

He said for a clean and drug free environment, parents need to be aware of the issues and problems and they need to teach the child of the danger drugs pose so they will not be led astray.

He said that the social system needs to pay attention to the issue.

Justice Nelson is the first Pacific Islander to be appointed a council member and Deputy President of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and has been advocating for children’s rights and the protection of children.

But with drugs and narcotics becoming a growing concern, he said more advocacy and awareness is needed to address the issue before it is too late.

Some of the Ministers from around the region meet and greet the delegates of the Pacific ECD Frontliners Summit.

First summit for frontliners
The ECD Summit is the first of its kind where the frontliners come together to share ideas and a way forward for the development of Early Childhood Development.

The expected outcomes include a:

• Pacific ECD Roadmap linking cultural heritage and climate adaptation.
• Strengthened partnerships between caregivers, civil society, and government and a
• consolidated Outcome Statement to influence national and regional policy agendas.

The keynote address was presented by the Samoa Fire & Emergency Services Authority (SFESA) Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga on the theme “Our Blue Pacific Children, Our Future.”

Some of the issues discussed include:

• Our Children, Our Heritage: Blue Pacific Resilience through ECD Leadership.
• Cultural Identity & ECD – Strengthening Traditions for Future Generations.
• Strengthening Cultural Identity • Community Engagement.
• Caring for the Carers– Mental Wellness for Mothers, Fathers & Frontline Families.
• Building Climate Resilience.
• Inclusive ECD (Disability Focus).

At the end of the summit, an Outcomes Statement draft was read out and will be finalized and presented to the Ministerial Forum on Thursday for adoption.