Drug use has become a "deeply ingrained part of our daily life" and needs to be attacked with vigour in order to protect Bermuda's international reputation, according to a new report released by the National Drug Control Department.

The 119-page Framework for the National Drug Control Policies and Master Plan report outlines the current state of drug use and treatment opportunities and provides recommendations on how to drastically reduce the amount of drugs on the Island.

The report stated: "The time has come for Bermuda to attack its serious substance abuse problem with vigour. In view of the Island's size and its economic dependence on tourism and international business, industries which reply on reputation, substance abuse can disrupt and even threaten our economy, our safety and our social well being.

"The cultural forces that encourage and perpetuate drug use in our society must be eliminated. We must recognise that drugs have become a deeply ingrained part of our daily life and that prevention cannot occur unless social attitudes toward drug use changes."

It pointed to wide-scale use of drugs: "Today's environment can be described as one in which drug availability and drug consumption is prevalent. Drugs, including alcohol and tobacco, are also accessible and affordable and their use by some in society seems to have become normative and acceptable. Although drug use has been a feature of the cultural make up of the society, key industry informants suggest that the increasing drug activities have created a new and dreadful dimension: drug-related violent and property crimes, gang problems and extortion."

But society's desire to turn a blind eye to the growing problem is a major challenge in the fight against drugs, according to the Bermuda Police Service.

The report stated some of the top challenges were:"The reluctance from members of the community to assist the police. This is either due to fear of reprisal; or family members are involved in criminality; or they simply do not see their responsibility as part of the solution in improving quality of life.

"Jurors are not prepared to convict drug dealers as there are so many avenues that a drug dealer takes to ensure that he is not convicted. They provide a fairytail defence which is accepted by sympathetic jurors."

Which is why the NDCD said as much emphasis has to be put into prevention and changing society's views on drugs as is pumped into treatment facilities. –The five-year plan is to reduce demand and supply of drugs on the Island through a balanced approach that concentrates on prevention, treatment, law enforcement and legislation.

The creation of more rehabilitation centres and beds, as well as the creation of a special section in the prison system for drug treatment, are major goals.

Prevention is also seen as a key aspect of the National Plan and the NDCD hope to work with the Ministry of Education to improve the existing curriculum and ensure that students receive the drug free lifestyle message at a young age and throughout their education. The aim is to establish a prevention unit to provide national services, but this would require a substantial grant from Government.

They anticipate they will need $19.4 million in 2008 and an additional $17.6 million in 2009, $18.2 million in 2010 and $18.7 million in 2011 in order to fund all of their initiatives. The plan states that it hopes to fund its prevention, demand and supply reduction initiatives through Government grants, as well as the creation of legislation where five percent of revenue derived from alcohol and tobacco taxes go to prevention and treatment schemes. They would also like to use third of the Confiscated Assets Fund, money taken from convicted drug dealers, to fund these initiatives as well. Copies of the report can be picked up in the NDCD office in Melbourne House on Parliament Street.