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Rota forming task force against ‘ice’
ROTA—Rota Mayor Efraim M. Atalig believes the methamphetamine or “ice” problem on the island is not alarming, but as a preventive move they are forming an anti-drug task force. “I haven’t heard anything that will alarm me,” said Atalig when asked during an interview if there is an “ice” problem on Rota.
The mayor disclosed that he just had a meeting with secretaries and local resident directors, in which he recommended an anti-drug task force on the island.
“We are heading in that direction and I believe beginning of this month we are going to get this thing in full swing,” Atalig said. “The idea here is let’s be in a preventive mood rather than on a protective mood.”
On crimes, Atalig said they really don’t have any crime.
“If there is any crime, basically it’s internal…within the family,” he added.
The mayor said they implement a lot of programs for their youths.
He cited that recently they had some basketball team from Saipan play with their island’s basketball players.
“The good thing about that is bringing them to our island of Rota, so that our players in Rota can feel the increased competitiveness of other teams aside from themselves,” Atalig said.
Saipan Tribune conducted last week random interviews with residents and foreign workers on Rota and they all agreed that there is no crime against property or persons and that they just leave their cars open wherever they go.
In a separate interview, Rota Municipal Council chair George Ogo Hocog said there may be an “ice” problem on the island but it’s not as bad as other places.
“It’s not really bad. But if we don’t take care of it, its going to increase,” Hocog said. “I heard some people here are using ‘ice’ but I never see them using, but I can feel.”
Hocog said what they are trying to do is form a task force against drugs and “ice.”
He said there is a need to increase their K9 activity.
Hocog said right now, the island does not have a dog checking for illegal drugs, mostly coming from Saipan.
