Bermuda's much-vaunted "war on drugs'' came under intense fire yesterday as several drugs policy critics lambasted the recent decision to postpone a large anti-drugs rally because of rain.

And some addiction fighters, citing a host of "Band Aid'' efforts by the National Drug Commission, have called on the agency to start offering more than just "patently token'' gestures.

"Rain has never stopped people from getting high,'' Addiction Services co-ordinator Mr. Bryant Richards told The Royal Gazette . "One could therefore speculate that people could have walked in the rain to show their commitment on the issue. I know I would have.'' Dr. Vincent Bridgewater, a former United Bermuda Party MP and a recovering addict himself, concurred with Mr. Richards, saying: "If it was raining and I wanted drugs, I would ride my bike or walk or do whatever else I needed to do to get to those drugs. So if you're going to hold a rally to fight drugs, then you should also fight the rain or whatever else that might come in your way to show that you're concerned.'' Last month, a much-hyped anti-drugs rally that was to take place at the National Stadium on the day after the October 20 "Moment of Consciousness'' was scrapped by the NDC because of inclement weather.

The NDC -- citing a string of previous scheduling commitments at the stadium -- said the rally would likely be held in the spring.

But the delay, which came on the heels of an outpouring of anti-drugs sentiment at the $160,000 Moment, has prompted a large segment of the drug-fighting community to question the sincerity of official Bermuda's crusade.

"Considering the intensity of the Moment, the rally could have gone through,'' said Mr. Richards, who stressed that his comments to The Gazette represented his own personal viewpoints. "It would have shown that we were all serious about the issue.'' Added Dr. Bridgewater: "I think there's been a lot of lip service to a war on drugs, but Government -- as well as many of the agencies that are raising money for this purpose -- have to make a firmer commitment to fighting drug addiction than they have in the eight years that I've been clean.'' Mr. Michael Picard, the director of the privately operated Behavioural Recovery Service in Hamilton, said yesterday that he has been particularly frustrated in his efforts to treat and counsel addicts locally.

"It's got to the point where I would take a job in construction,'' he said.

"The NDC just isn't paying for treatment to be done on the Island.'' Both Dr. Bridgewater and Mr. Picard said a local drug rehabilitation centre was urgently needed in Bermuda.

Neither, however, was very optimistic that one would be built here soon.

"Just look at how long it's taken to build a new National Stadium,'' Dr.

Bridgewater said. "I have been knocking on doors for the past eight years.'' On the reasons for the alleged Government foot-dragging, Mr. Picard cited the "erroneous'' belief that Bermuda "would have to spend millions and millions'' to treat drug addicts locally, while Dr. Bridgewater, who also called on insurance companies to enter the fight against drugs, felt there were deeper societal reasons.

"I really believe,'' he said, "that drug addiction is still regarded as a black problem in Bermuda. I think if it were regarded as a white problem, you'd see a lot more action.'' Neither the NDC's chairman, Mr. Mansfield Brock, nor executive director Mrs.

Eugenie Simmons could be reached for comment yesterday.