problem.

This was one of many suggestions made at a forum, held this week, to find solutions to the Island's crime and drugs problem.

The meeting, hosted by United Bermuda Party's Pembroke West Central branch, drew a broad cross-section of the community, ranging from Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan to recovering addicts.

And panelists -- chairman of the National Drug Strategy's Interim Steering Committee Mr. Alastair Macdonald, recovering addict Dr. Vincent Bridgewater, Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Social Services Sen. Jerome Dill, and Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, gathered a variety of ideas by devoting most of the two-hour forum to questions and comments from those who attended.

But before fielding questions, Mr. Macdonald challenged everyone to get involved in dealing with alcohol and drug abuse.

It was estimated that 10 percent of the population were addicts and this directly affected 40 percent or 22,000 people in Bermuda, he said.

And Mr. Macdonald stressed that without the support of Government, businesses, churches, and the rest of the community, "we have no hope in dealing with this problem which threatens to destroy our very special Island home''.

Dr. Bridgewater, who has been drug-free for the last four years, confirmed from his personal experience the affect of drug abuse on an individual and the community.

Looking around the audience, he said he saw more than one of four people affected by his drug abuse.

"Drugs sent me to the bottom of the pit,'' Dr. Bridgewater said.

"Fortunately for me I got a wake-up call from Police and I decided to do something with my life. I went to Addiction Services. I'm happy with myself now.'' Dr. Bridgewater said he believed Government "were more committed than ever'' to do something about the drug problem.

Mr. Edness confirmed this, saying "we're going to be there to provide them (the steering committee) with resources''.

But he said education must start with "the role model of children in Bermuda'' -- parents.

"If we want to affect what a child does, we will have to go through the parents.'' Sen. Dill agreed, adding that the drug problem could be fought by parents coming together and setting the country's agenda.

Mr. Edness said the least that could be done was teach parents how to identify a child using drugs and about what they can do to help.

"Most parents don't want to acknowledge that their children are using drugs,'' he said.

"It's not just going to take Government, the businesses, and churches, it will take every person in this community, if we want to solve the drug problem.

"We have the blueprint and now we need everybody's help in the community if we're going to do it effectively.'' Other solutions proposed at the forum included: Granting amnesty to drug users and pushers who were willing to turn their life around.

Having alcohol banned from all public functions hosted by politicians.

Inviting children from dysfunctional families into "normal'' homes.

Making drug education mandatory in schools.

Co-ordinating drug treatment facilities.