CLAIMS that legal loopholes are blocking Government efforts to shut down crack houses have been rubbished by the Opposition.

Last month National Drug Control Minister Wayne Perinchief said that legislation employed to close down vacant and derelict properties being used as drug dens could not be applied to ordinary homes in respectable neighbourhoods where dealers operated.

The Minister acknowledged that just three of 17 drug dens Government pledged to put out of business last November had since been tackled, although three other targets have been put out of commission.

Mr. Perinchief also said that necessary changes would not come about until next year, pointing out that drafting new legislation "is not a rapid process".

But Shadow Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess said Government had had plenty of time to tighten any legal loopholes.

And he pointed out that Attorney General Larry Mussenden could bring about changes in the law very quickly.

It was Sen. Mussenden who first announced the crackdown at an anti-drugs rally last year.

"How can we have the Government's own lawyer saying that he has a legal problem?" Mr. Burgess said.

"How long will it take solve this problem?

Although the majority of crack houses remain open for business, a strong police presence in the Pembroke area, and in particular Court Street, appears to be paying off.

Yesterday, a police spokesman said that patrols of the area were conducted by a number of Community Action Teams from early morning until late at night.

"Individuals were arrested for various offences, including taking an auxiliary motorcycle without the owner's consent, drinking in a public place, being drunk and incapable, suspicion of passing counterfeit currency, possession of a bladed weapon, possession of drug equipment, suspicion of assault, suspicion of possessing a controlled drug and outstanding warrants.

"The officers received positive feedback from the public ? both pedestrians and motorists ? during their patrols, particularly in the Court Street, Pembroke area.

"Business owners and their employees in the Court Street area also expressed their appreciation of the increased police presence. The word we're getting is that people are very pleased to be able to live their lives without being bombarded on a daily basis with the vices that affect our community."