Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula has dissolved the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Council and replaced it with the Opioid and Substance Abuse Council.

The Council is to develop a comprehensive territorial strategy for opioid abatement programs and any co-occurring substance use disorder or mental health condition through evidence based or evidence informed programs or strategies, co-ordinate and adopt a policy alignment with the American Samoa Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council, oversee the strategic allocation and monitoring of the American Samoa Opioid Settlement Fund in strict compliance with lawful opioid settlement agreements and remediation guidelines and reviewing and approving grant proposals, community initiatives and department programs funded by opioid settlement allocation.

The Council is also to develop policies that reduce the effects of illegal opioids and substance use on families and children and provide advice to the Governor on legislation and activities designed to reduce or eliminate opioids and substance use in American Samoa.

The Governor and Lt Governor are co-chairmen of the Council which shall have 8 members. The members are the Directors of Legal Affairs, Public Safety, Health, Homeland Security, Treasury or their designated proxies, a clinical psychologist from the private sector, a faith-based community advocate and a community and victim advocate.