The Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.) has established a new division to enable the organisation to take its work to the next level through molecular testing.

The Molecular Testing Services Division, which was launched on Friday at Vailima and is located at what was formerly known as MedCen Hospital, will be responsible for the testing of drugs and narcotics. 

The new division is the organisation's response to requests for molecular tests from different bodies within the Government. It will also be used to identify the presence or absence of the COVID-19 virus and its variants, as well as other issues like the African swine fever in local pigs and incoming pork products.

The facility will also enable the testing of human pathogens, animal pathogens, paternity and genealogical tests, drugs and narcotics as well as prompt workplace drug testing (W.D.T.) programs. 

As for the W.D.T. program, this will lead to the drug testing of government offices and officials, which will assist the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.), Ministry of Private Enterprises (M.P.E.) and the Police to either exonerate Government officials of drug abuse or refer them to the relevant authorities if there is evidence of drug use.

The Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Corrections Services (M.P.P.C.S.) is also expected to be a major beneficiary of the division's establishment, as it will do drug testing for matters that are before the courts. 

The Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, La’auli Leuatea Schmidt has oversight over the S.R.O.S. and worked with the organisation's Board of Directors, to approve the recommendation from the management for the new division to be created and housed at the old MedCen Hospital.