It's feared that a highly addictive and potentially-lethal drug dubbed "the poor man's cocaine" could soon be introduced to Bermuda.

Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler said officials have been trained to look out for methamphetamine.

The drug is already prevalent in the US, where it is more popular than crack cocaine. Use is on the increase there, as well as in Canada.

Urine tests on drug addicts being monitored by the authorities in Bermuda have not uncovered any use locally yet. However, a Canadian national became the first person to be caught and convicted for attempting to import it last year.

The substance can be snorted, smoked, injected or swallowed. It can be made relatively easily in illegal laboratories, with producers using hazardous chemicals including battery acid, drain cleaner and antifreeze.

Users experience a sense of euphoria but risk serious health problems. Side effects range from chronic paranoia to brain damage and at worst it can cause heart failure and death.

"Methamphetamine in this country will put us all at risk," Mr. Butler warned in the House of Assembly during a debate on drug control on Friday. He explained that although agencies such as Customs and the Police are on alert, "We need the whole community on board to say no to drugs and provide assistance in that regard".

Speaking after the debate, Mr. Butler told The Royal Gazette: " Methamphetamine is beginning to spread over the United States. We have to be aware of trends in drugs and Bermuda always catches a cold after the US."

Canadian national Patrick Anthony Howe, 41, was caught at the airport last July attempting to import more than $700,000 of the drug into the Island on a flight from Toronto. He was convicted by a jury and sentenced to 12 years in prison in December.

Last October, the Department of Court Services hosted a workshop on methamphetamine and its impact presented by Sergeant Vanessa Price of the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Sgt. Price, a fellow of the National Drug Court Institute, covered topics including how to spot dealers and manufacturers, behaviours under the influence, treatment and managing offenders.

Gina Hurst-Maybury, director of Court Services, said the workshop was attended by 47 representatives from her department, the Department of Health, the Police and treatment providers.

"We were trying to be proactive, we know it is something that's been impacting various states across the US, and rather than being reactionary we were trying to give people an idea of the drug and its impact," she said.

"It was good training and it's not over yet. We're very keen to keep up with trends."