Forensic Testing Center

A new forensic drug testing centre with state-of-the-art facilities was opened at the University of the South Pacific’s Campus in Alafua, Samoa, recently.
Known as the Alafua Forensic Drug Testing Centre, this facility will allow the Government of Samoa to analyse suspected cannabis and receive quick results.
Funded by AUSAid, NZAid, USP and the Government of Samoa, the Centre was the culmination of four years of hard work by USP and the Office of the Attorney General in Samoa.
It was opened by the Prime Minister of Samoa, the Honourable Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi.
USP’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Tarr said the Centre was a fine example of a good working relationship with the Government of Samoa. He added that USP looked forward to working with the Government with the view of growing the Campus at Alafua, in accordance with the needs of the people of Samoa.
The idea to set up a testing centre arose in 2001 following a critical assessment of the time and expense of sending suspected cannabis to New Zealand for testing. This whole process was costing the Government thousands of dollars every year.
As a result, the Samoan Attorney General commenced discussions with the Pro-Vice Chancellor at the Alafua Campus Professor Alfred Ebenebe to explore whether USP was interested in establishing a drug testing facility. Once approved, Alafua Campus started making arrangements which included the training of two of its senior lecturers at both Koronivia Research Facility in Fiji and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research Unit in New Zealand.
While training was being undertaken, a dedicated laboratory was equipped fully to ensure testing would be undertaken in a clinically appropriate manner, and according to acceptable standards of forensic practice and procedure.
According to the Prime Minister, Samoa has moved a long way since the times when it used to heavily rely on the outside world for technical expertise.
“The beauty of this venture between USP and the Government of Samoa has been the recognition of facilities which we already have in Samoa – in this case the USP Campus in Samoa and their highly trained staff,’’ said Mr Malielegaoi.
“The Government of Samoa has been pleased with the co-operation and foresight shown by USP in supporting this joint project and has been much impressed by the staff at Alafua and their willingness to entertain a dream.
“If this project is an example of the dynamism that USP represents, then many great things await all the University Member Countries, now and in the future.’’
The opening of the Centre was attended by representatives of the University’s Member Countries who were in Samoa to attend the 60th meeting of the USP Council.