workplace to lead the way in the war on drugs.

The International Companies Division of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce announced on Thursday that it had signed up to a campaign to help rid Bermuda of drug abuse.

ICD companies have already contributed millions of dollars to the Council Partners initiative but now the executive wants its members to help drive drugs out of the workplace.

The Council Partners campaign, a joint initiative between Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Fair Havens, Pride, Focus and Lions Quest, has raised $5 million for five years of anti-drug initiatives.

To help the campaign, exempted companies have donated more than $2 million -- $1.7 million from just 12 ICD members.

Now the ICD is adding to the financial help by urging members to adopt four guidelines, including establishing clear policies such as zero tolerance for use, sale and distribution of drugs in the workplace.

The ICD executive also wants companies to adopt disciplinary and penalty guidelines, recognise addiction as an illness and offer treatment and establish and support an Employee Assistance Programme, emphasising confidentiality.

The ICD represents 167 of the 250 exempted companies in Bermuda, employing more than 2,000 people.

Mr. Adolf Luttke, general manager of Corange Ltd. and past ICD chairman, said: "We firmly believe that the use of any drug, legal or illegal, is detrimental to the health, well-being and productivity of a company and its employees.'' The ICD stance was welcomed by both Mr. Mansfield (Jim) Brock, chairman of the National Drug Council, and by Council Partners co-vice chairman Mrs. Janine Lines.

"We are marshalling all sectors of the community - businesses, parents, sports associations, churches, unions, schools, young people and politicians to join us in our war against drugs,'' said Mr. Brock.

Mrs. Lines said she was also encouraged by the level of support demonstrated by the ICD.

"Bermuda's exempted companies truly understand the needs of our community and are willing to pledge their full support to organisations committed to making a difference in this community,'' she said.