solid law-abiding people. That is not, however, to make light of the crime situation because from small acorns large trees grow.

We think it is clear that much of the criminal activity and most of the gun usage in Bermuda is drug related in one way or another. We would guess that in Bermuda drugs and alcohol play a part in about 75 percent of all criminal offences and some part in many other undesirable events. As much as we would all like to think that "Bermuda Is Another World'' and that it can avoid major outside influences, Bermuda has not escaped the scourge of drugs.

Bermudians have known for many years now that Bermuda has a major drug problem and have not done enough to combat the problem. We have implemented some notable programmes and we have done a great deal of talking. Government instigated two very valuable reports from Dr. David Archibald. But we have been slow to implement measures which might lead to solutions and we have not done enough to stop the problem growing. There has not, we think, been enough cooperation to lead to national solutions.

The second Archibald Report was severely damaged by the refusal of the Progressive Labour Party to take part in the committees leading to the report and the failure of the PLP to produce its own report as it promised the Country. We think those two PLP failures were dangerous for Bermuda. They gave some people the idea that the PLP condoned drugs. When people who are prone to anti-social activity begin to believe, rightly or wrongly, that they have support from a major section of the community, then they begin their anti-social activities because they think they have been given permission.

The truth is that the importation of drugs is almost impossible to combat without general community cooperation. That is not to suggest that Bermuda should relax its vigilance against importation but it is to point out that the cash rewards of drug importation and sale are so great that people will continue to take the chance of being caught. They are also likely to continue to take the chance if they think that even after apprehension they are unlikely to be convicted in court. Some time in custody and high legal fees become a business expense. They will continue to find new ways of importation as long as the cash and the customers are available.

The only final solution to the abuse of drugs is to work at stopping the demand. That is the hard and difficult way to go but it is the only way to succeed in the end. Bermuda has to concentrate on programmes and education which will lead people not to use drugs.

That can only be done by a unified community effort which says no to drugs.

Bermudians have to say that they will not have drugs here. That means that they will not accept the people who import drugs and will not enjoy the spoils of drug. Every effort will be made to help those who have fallen prey to drug abuse but pushing will not be tolerated. The people of Bermuda have to be prepared to stand up for that decision.

If the political parties can be united on anything, they must be united on drugs. As long as the PLP's message on drugs is unclear it will be taken as permission to offend and the PLP will have to accept the blame for offenders.

Far too often people adopt a stand of "Let Government do it''. There could never be enough Police and there is not enough money in the Country to stop drugs without community involvement. The Police can be vigilant. The Government can lead. We can institute programmes. But the people of Bermuda must say, "Not here. Not in our Country''.