The behaviour of a group of youth on Friday evening was disgraceful. This group of youth managed to put small children and families enjoying a night out at the Magic Circus of Samoa at risk.

Most of the youth were either teenagers or in their early 20s. They were intoxicated.

Scenes on Friday at the Magic Circus of Samoa could only be described as chaotic as rocks and bottles were thrown into the big top by drunk youths with most of the audience panicking and children crying.

Circus staff quickly closed the tent's doors while some initially believed that it was part of the act.

The disruption began just as ringmaster Tupa'i Bruno was preparing for the final act of the evening. Outside, young boys had entered the tent with stones, prompting a swift response from the circus crew who secured the tent and prevented further entry.

The chaos prompted immediate reactions from the audience, with some mistakenly believing it was part of the performance.

Mothers carrying babies were caught in the commotion as they attempted to flee, only to be met with the tumultuous scene outside. This led to a panic-stricken environment, where children screamed and adults hurried to safety inside the tent.

During the chaos, Tupa'i directed everyone to remain inside until the police arrived.

The crew’s quick response and the community's support were crucial in managing the situation and ensuring the safety of all involved.

Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo confirmed that 15 young men were apprehended by the police and taken to the station. After conducting investigations and gathering sufficient evidence, four were charged. These four men, all from Toamua, have admitted to being intoxicated at the time of the incident.

While this incident might be linked to teenage drinking, this also shows that none of the shops selling alcohol adhere to the laws that alcohol can only be sold to people over the age of 21-years-old. Anyone can walk into a shop and buy liquor without checking his identification.

The same goes for the sale of cigarettes. Whoever the enforcement authorities are need to take such shops to task and issue fines. Then we will see alcohol not being sold to teenagers.

In 2020, the Cabinet stressed the focus on enforcement in a Directive (FK(20) 22) that should a business sell alcohol to an under 21-year-old, their license may be revoked on top of other relevant penalties in the laws.

In Samoa, there is no specific legal age for drinking alcohol. But the Liquor Act only allows those over 21 years old to purchase alcohol.

A person under the age of 21 years who buys an alcoholic drink can be fined up to $50.

"[The Government resolves to] prohibit the selling of selling alcohol to anyone below the age of 21 years of age anywhere," the FK(20) 22 reads.

"Anyone under the age of 21 years old [... is prohibited from entry to...[ a bar or nightclub. Should this directive not be adhered to, the license will be revoked plus other penalties outlined under the Act for these businesses."

The Liquor Act of Samoa prohibits selling or supplying any liquor to a person under the age of 21 years.

Any person who sells or supplies liquor to a person under the age of 21 is liable to a fine not exceeding $500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months, or both

A licensee commits an offence and is liable to the same penalty if a person under 21 years is allowed to come into possession of or drink liquor on the licensed premises.

The government should make a policy that all places selling alcohol must openly display a sign that states that alcohol will not be sold to anyone below the age of 21. The government should also make it mandatory for all alcohol resellers to check identification should they feel someone is below the legal age to purchase alcohol.

There should also be a cut down on people drinking alcohol in public places. There are certain places where people buy alcohol from the shop and base themselves just outside and drink in public places.