Pacific

American Samoans to march over drug concerns

17:03 pm on 12 March 2003

A group of concerned citizens will march on American Samoa's Legislative building tomorrow to raise awareness of the drug problems in the territory.

Our correspondent in Pago Pago, Fili Sagapoutele reports.

"The group is also concerned with the information that has become public so far, regarding the disappearance of 23 year old Wyatt Bowles Jr and those arrested allegedly linked with this case. The group started out mainly with women but has attracted a lot of attention from the public. The march is scheduled to coincide with a Senate committee hearing, where several government witnesses have been summoned to testify."

The committee hearing is based on a Senate resolution calling for an inquiry into the Department of Public Safety's ineffectiveness in resolving outstanding crimes and the police role in drug enforcement and morale.

A member of the group marching tomorrow said the issue of drugs raised by the Senate resolution is among the many issues concerning the group'