17 Aug 2007

Milder drug legislation discussed in American Samoa

4:06 am on 17 August 2007

The American Samoa Senate President is sponsoring a new drug law to encourage the rehabilitaton of offenders.

Currently, a first-time offender can face fines of up to twenty thousand US dollars or a jail term of up to 10 years, or both.

Rehabilitation programmes are not mandatory, and there are no parole, probation or suspended sentences.

The new bill would reduce the penalties and unclude compulsory rehabilitation.