American Samoa's Commissioner of Public Safety has appealed to government leaders for help in dealing with a growing number of suicide cases which seem to have a connection with drugs.
Save Liuato Tuitele made the appeal at a cabinet meeting yesterday.
Save said in the last 2-3 ,months, there had been three or four suicides which were still under investigation.
He said that analysis by police indicated the suicide cases had a connection with drugs, specifically the use of crystal methamphetamine.
The commissioner said the situation presented challenges for the department and the reason was because there was too much dishonesty.
He didn't say who he was referring to but commented that perhaps it's because the previous leadership did not do a good job dealing with the culprits.
Save revealed there were two companies which were heavily involved in the sale and distribution of drugs to buyers both juveniles and adults.
But he stopped short of naming them because he said the "faikakala" gossipers were present, referring to local reporters.