These are tough times. Everywhere we turn there are challenges, whether we live in Samoa, or any other far flung corner of the world. From the biggest and most developed nations to the smallest of them all, there is no escaping the fact everybody is going through something. 

Governments and nations are being tested. There are threats of strife and war; it feels like we are walking on eggshells looking at some of latest global developments. Continents and regions are experiencing major shifts challenging the status quo from finances, the environment, health, education, technology, food supply to lifestyle choices and much more. 

People talk about returning to normality after the COVID-19, which is hopeful and optimistic, but that is unlikely to happen given the way the pandemic is morphing and emerging in different forms. We just don’t know what is around the corner. This appears to be the new normal.

Here in Samoa, we acknowledge that we are blessed to still live in an environment of peace. While political stability was shaken not so long ago, we are grateful that things have slowly settled and we now have a political administration tasked with the job of doing what’s needed to make lives in this country better.  We are even more grateful that although COVID-19 is now in Samoa, no life has been claimed yet, especially when we consider the millions of casualties around the globe. 

That said, we are not problem-free ourselves. For such a small country, we have a mountain of problems before us, exacerbated by the pandemic restrictions and lockdown. Prime Minister Fiame and her government have their challenges; the private sector, businesses, churches, districts, villages and families are being tested. Economically, socially and spiritually, it feels like we are under the pump.

Crime is on the rise; from petty theft to hard drugs, violence, sexual attacks, rape and other heinous offenses.  All you need to do is read the pages of your newspaper on a daily basis. “Electoral official and colleague deny drug charges” screamed one headline. “Police arrest four in Vaigaga raid,” another headline said. On the Sunday Samoan, a story titled “Safa'i mother struggling to cope with tragedy,” in a story where one of her sons has been accused of murdering his brother, underscores the gravity of the challenges before us. This was heartbreaking to read. This is happening in Samoa. Yes right here in front us.

"Things between my two sons were okay. They never fight and I have never seen them arguing before. I don't know what happened that night, but I just know that it was because alcohol was involved,” the mother said. "That (alcohol) has destroyed a lot of families and has taken a lot of lives so it's quite sad and I never imagine something like this would happen to my children and family. No parent would want to have to bury their children.” 

We can only pray for comfort and peace for this family as they deal with this very tragic incident. We pray for everyone else who is also experiencing suffering and pain as a result of different challenges and tragedies. 

We don’t know why a lot of things happen but we do know that when they happen, they make us sad, very sad. Peace, joy and unity are the first qualities that are threatened. Fear sets in and you feel that your energy and zest for life has been zapped. We become afraid, insecure and we panic. It’s natural. 

The reality is there are many things happening, including global developments, which have a direct impact on us, that are beyond our control. Whether we like it or not, there is nothing we can do about it. We can only do the best to protect ourselves and stay safe.

But there are some other challenges with the solutions within our grasp. Take drugs, alcohol use and abuse for example. The family tragedy at Safa’i Savai’i is another one. Could it have been avoided? What would make someone so mad that they would turn on a relative, let alone a brother? Interestingly, the mother clearly blames alcohol. This is not new. 

Was alcohol the only enabler? Were there other underlying issues? And did not anyone, who knew these brothers, see this coming? Have we not known about Samoa’s alcohol culture and the impact of these cheap alcohol products for years? 

The pages of this newspaper have been cautioning about the cost of alcohol abuse on this nation, villages and families for as long as we can remember. What has been done about it?  Judging from the rate of alcohol-related crimes, not much at all. It is one thing to identify and talk about the problem but that’s not enough. The leaders from the Head of State, Parliament, Government, private sector, businesses, churches, villages and families have their work cut out. They cannot rest on their laurels and pretend all is well when there is clearly a rot eating away at the moral fibre of this nation.

Life is tough enough as it is without the added pain of things we should have addressed, and yet refuse to, which come back to bite us hard. Now it’s not all thorns of course, there are some roses in between. We need to find those roses, cherish them and encourage the growth of more. The story titled “How I overcame my drinking problem': Television chief” published in the Sunday Samoan is a breath of fresh air. 

 “The thing with alcoholism is it is a cunning, baffling, powerful disease, it is a three-part disease of the mind, body and spirit,” TV3 General Manager Aotearoa Pesamino Mayer said.  “Alcoholics and drug addicts have a predisposition to not having any control when under the influence… if someone in Samoa finds that they can’t stop drinking – no matter how many different ways they tried – then it’s time to ask someone else for help." We applaud Ms Mayer for the courage to share her experiences. It could save someone’s life. 

The point is that while we cannot control all the challenges and problems around us, there are some things we can control. Dealing with alcohol abuse is one of them. All we need is to be honest and admit our shortcomings, find the courage to speak up and seek help. 

Have a great week folks, and be kind to someone!