Members of parliament including cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister, will undergo drug tests next year to lead by example, as the government is concerned about the involvement of public servants in the drug trade.

Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said it’s an embarrassment and it’s a major concern as there are rising numbers of public servants involved in selling and using narcotics.

 “The police are still working on having their raids, and I tell you, all the raids, there is always someone arrested, which shows that this is indeed a critical issue in Samoa,” La’aulialemalietoa said.

He added that this is why the government is planning to have all the MP’s and cabinet ministers tested to make sure there’s transparency in how they lead Samoa.

“No wonder why this problem is skyrocketing is because the public servants who are supposed to protect our borders seem involved in bringing in these drugs,” he added.

La’aulialemalietoa was referring to a Biosecurity employee who was arrested two weeks ago in relation to a meth bust.

The prime minister also shared concern about teacher beings involved; a couple who are both teachers were part of the 20 people arrested last weekend.

La’aulialemalietoa said the government will meet with all the teachers in Samoa to discuss further ways to prevent and assist in making sure the teachers and students are protected from further involvement in such illegal activities.

“What are they teaching if they are doing drugs?” he added.

All, including two teachers and the government employees, will appear in the Supreme Court next week to answer to the charges of possession of methamphetamine against them.