Drugs charges being brought against Customs officers and the most recent allegation concerning the uniformed Police officer smoking marijuana at a football game only serve to highlight the pervasiveness of the drug culture in Bermudian society. Even the so called frontlines of defence may have been infiltrated.

If it is not now the case, every Customs and Police officer must be drug tested. Those testing positive must be terminated immediately.

The same standards that apply to every other citizen must apply to Customs and Police officers. If the allegations against this Police officer are substantiated he must be prosecuted.

Nothing less will suffice.

JUST SAY NO Paget Schemes benefit no one February 11, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to publicly address the furore that has erupted over the last few weeks over the "pyramid schemes'' or "investment'' clubs, or "gift clubs'' or whatever name the "person at the top'' chooses to call this latest hoax to which, regretfully, so many of my people and their dollars have been drawn.

I read with disgust today's edition of The Royal Gazette which boasted that on the previous night, rather than the stories of two living legends, QC Dudley Thompson and Michael Foot, hundreds of people where gathered at a "secret meeting'' citing testimonials of how the white establishment had not allowed them to get ahead, why they felt justified in taking part in these schemes.

As an investment professional, it behoves me as to how rational, intelligent people could actually believe that there is such an "investment'' that could turn $500 into $4,000 or $2,000 into $16,000 in a matter of weeks. What is particularly disturbing is that it is those who cannot afford to lose that have indeed lost.

What is further ironic is that these same people would not support a $100 gift to take the Berkeley Institute private. These same people would not support a "black'' bank. What better "investment'' is there than in the education of our children or the construction of our own capital base? The returns from these investments are greater than we could ever imagine with far-reaching economic and social implications.

The ultimate repercussion of an education system that is not educating our children to do anything but labour will keep us economically poor. The education system educates the "haves'', not the "have-nots''.

A quality education is afforded to only those who can afford it. Banks lend to the "haves'', not the have-nots. Ever heard the phrase "it takes money to make money?'' We live in a country in which the capital and the power comfortably sit with the minority population. No other race but that of African descent has such a problem in uniting for the sake of financial betterment for its people.

I ask you, my brothers and my sisters, those who "got paid'' at the expense of our brothers and sisters who did not -- to invest in us -- for every dollar that you put into these "get rich quick schemes'', doomed for failure -- give $2 to support Berkeley's bid to go private, support the development of a black bank.

I assure you these are the kinds of "investments'' that will make our descendants millionaires.

DISAPPOINTED Southampton Duty change misdirected February 21, 2000 Dear Sir, Surely the Government coffers could have been filled more quickly by taxing those establishments with, and owners of, gambling machines rather than increasing the import duty on natural fibres by 71/2 percent.

That duty was lowered a number of years ago to try to encourage retailers to go 100 percent natural fibres, and now it is being shoved right back at us after we have developed a good customer base.

So much for our Government being for the people of Bermuda! A.M. SIMMONS Sandys Parish Senator missed the point February 14, 2000 Dear Sir, I have waited until now to respond to the letter from PLP Sen. Calvin Smith published in your paper on January 14, 2000.

My reasons for waiting were two-fold. Firstly, to see whether any other contradictory comments would be forthcoming from his other esteemed colleagues.

Secondly, with all the other difficulties Government finds itself in i.e.

large cars; declining tourism; fancy trips, more taxes; increased homelessness; inadequate laws; increased crime; sweetheart deals and a civil service review (phew!) my original opinion seems to pale in comparison.

However, Sen. Smith, whom by the way I did not mention by name but by general reference, seems to have taken umbrage at my representation.

He is quite correct to separate himself from the others, for it is only the humblest amongst us that wish to be associated with the unsuccessful within our society.

The fact that the good Senator had missed the point of my letter comes as no surprise as it is consistent with he and his colleagues having missed the point completely in the Senate debate itself.

You cannot amend laws that don't exist. Sloppy law makes for a sloppy society.

It is unfortunate that the proof of these statements is in the sometime of tomorrow when society will call for action from the judiciary and sadly it will be powerless to deliver.

On a happier note I am pleased that someone on Government's side of the Senate recognised ".. .serving at the highest political level requires intelligence, integrity and courage'' and that he, at least, "... is grateful for this sterling display of statesmanship'' displayed by the independent Senator. This represents a quantum swing from where his Leader left the electorate hanging from the previous session.

DAVID J. SULLIVAN Sandys Parish P.S. Again I ask... did anybody find out what the hurry was anyway? Shooting the messenger February 18, 2000 Dear Sir, I was listening to the debate in the House of Assembly this morning regarding Mr. (Tim) Smith's comments about the drug problem and its association with the local sports clubs.

I have been following the newspaper articles as well as the morning talk shows in order to find out as much information as possible about this issue.

I have come to this conclusion: "Wake up Bermuda''. The House sounded like an unsupervised nursery school, no disrespect intended, Mr. Speaker.

I did hear your numerous stern warnings to the Government, unfortunately they didn't. On the one hand Government asks the Opposition member, Mr. Smith for an explanation and on the other hand they interrupt every second word that he utters.

There are always several ways that one can interpret something, case and point. It seems the whole discussion revolves around the word "benefits''.

Obviously certain persons felt directly singled out at this comment, whether Mr. Smith meant directly benefits (which he didn't) or indirectly, it doesn't matter. We are not blind.

I grew up in Bermuda and have attended numerous sports events throughout the Island. I know people that attend these games for the sole purpose of purchasing marijuana, and a good portion of the time use this drug right on the grounds because we all know that a crowd makes a good cover. "Follow your nose''. It happens. It is a fact! So to all the sports club managers, Mr. Smith is not all that incorrect because to get into the grounds, gate fees have to be paid and refreshments are available on the premises.

Let me make this very clear. No one is implying nor suggesting that you or a club member is involved in the sale of drugs.

What one might consider if put in this position would be that instead of running out and demanding an apology from Mr. Smith, we should thank him for drawing so much attention to the sports clubs and the problem of trying to deal with the drug issue.

Take this anger (energy) and instead of wasting it on trying to get an apology out of Mr. Smith, drum up support in your constituents, or as a group to fight the real problem.

Right now you have centre stage and an apology might boost your ego, but you still have the problem.

Drugs are a problem in Bermuda. It is unfortunate that this minority involved can ruin the reputation of certain areas. The sports clubs got singled out as one of these areas; there are numerous others throughout the Island.

Drugs and drug use are evident at a lot of events where large masses of people are involved. I challenge the members of these establishments, the Government and the people to be leaders in this fight, don't wait for someone else to take charge.

M.B.

WARWICK EAST Path is dangerous February 19, 2000 Dear Sir, I recently spent a week on your beautiful Island.

I would like to bring to your attention the walking path from the Fairmont Southampton Princess gate to the first look out point at Horseshoe Beach.

This is one of the most magnificent walks that I found, however the path is very dangerous.

I saw walkers, joggers and sightseers of all ages, locals and tourists and despite the obvious wealth on your Island, this path has not been maintained and is now very dangerous.

Many people were walking and jogging on the road in order to avoid twisting their ankle on the path.

EILEEN BOND Nepean, Ontario