The Pacific Innovation and Tech Academy (PITA) Project

The Christopher James Foeoletini Ledoux Foundation’s (The Foeoletini Foundation) Pacific Innovation and Tech Academy (PITA) seeks to enable individuals to receive adequate training and resources to help family members and victims of Substance Use Disorder (SUD). American Samoa is experiencing a methamphetamine epidemic that has taken over the community and youth, causing a decline in work ethic, users conducting criminal behaviors in the workplace, and absenteeism due to addiction and arrest. Through group service projects, individual tech projects, annual youth tech forums, focus groups, and the development of the PITA, low-income underserved communities in American Samoa will develop the essential skills and resources in innovation and technology to combat the trickling effects of illegal methamphetamine use and assist families of drug and alcohol abuse victims. Ultimately, the project will make American Samoa a drug free, resilient territory against substance abuse.