`club drugs' begins today at Bermuda College.

The National Drug Commission is sponsoring the seminars to ensure addiction specialists and club and bar staff are aware of the latest drugs being used on the Island.

NDC Prevention Officer Calvin Ming said many young people mistakenly believe newer drugs such as ecstasy, rolypnol, GHB and ketamine are comparatively safe.

"Because these drugs are relatively new, the facts are not known to the users and many times they imagine these drugs are safe,'' he said.

"In fact, the opposite is true. When mixing alcohol with these drugs the consequences can be ten times worse.

"We, the professional addiction community and club managers need to know how to identify, prevent and treat persons using these drugs.'' The NDC has flown in Joanne Stevenson, the co-ordinator of Family Education at Substance Abuse Prevention Services in Charlotte, North Carolina, to chair the sessions.