American Samoa considers drug testing public servants

Another effort is being made in American Samoa to have government workers and elected officials undergo drug testing.

Previous bills for such a requirement have been quickly defeated.

A new bill before the territorial House of Representatives would require government employees, elected officials and independent contractors to submit to drug testing, to be administered by the Human Resources Department.

The measure's preamble says the tests are needed to ensure and enhance the quality of the public service and to maintain the public's trust.

The tests would be expected to identify the quantity of alcohol, drugs, or metabolites detected in an initial screening test during a job application.