Ministry.

Bermuda is in the 18th Century when it comes to enforcing laws preventing racism, according to Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown .

Dr. Brown, responding to Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill , said: "This Government has to show the people of Bermuda that it is serious about racism and about bringing justice to this Country.

"I am embarrassed that Government has relegated Human Affairs to a department,'' he stressed, adding that human affairs should have a portfolio of its own and not be "pigeon-holed'' in the Education Ministry "as an afterthought''.

While the Minister had stated that CURE faced a monumental task, Dr. Brown noted that it only had two full-time employees.

"If it is critical in this Country surely it deserves more teeth and more money. We see an underfunded department challenged to do a monumental task.'' While complimenting CURE's members, particularly its new chairman Ken Spurling, Dr. Brown said the HRC was still struggling to do its work with one hand while the other was waiting for the Minister to deliver more teeth.

Turning to Mr. Dill's example of the discrimination case handled by the HRC, he said the Minister failed to mention that at the same place of employment there were eight other discrimination complaints which were not resolved.

Bermuda needed enforcement policies on discrimination like the US, he added.

Citing the recent Texaco case, he said: "Once it came to light there were laws in place which forced Texaco to deal with the matter.

"In Bermuda I could not see the CEO who denies racism is a problem coming to the table to discuss this without legislation.'' If Government "can't legislate their hearts, legislate their pockets'','' he said.

He also pointed out that Mr. Dill had failed to mention discrimination against the elderly and Bermudians in his address.

Turning to the National Drug Commission, Dr. Brown said Government had spared no expense on the body.

"Government has brought to bear on this major area of its concern all of its expertise,'' he said.

Earlier, Mr. Dill told the House that as of December 31, last year the NDC had sent 11 people overseas for treatment which cost some $173,000. However, he promised that local residential treatment was coming.

Mr. Dill also highlighted the success of the NDC's partnerships with Council Partners, employers, the Salvation Army, and the lifeskills programme which he said was offered in all primary schools and will be included in middle and senior secondary schools under the reformed education system. He said the NDC's anti-drug radio and print campaign was receiving favourable attention.

However, Mr. Dill noted that many of the recovering addicts featured in the advertisements said they became involved in drugs via their parents and not their peers. "Sick families produce sick children,'' he commented. "But at the end of the day, sicknesses can and must be treated.'' Dr. Brown, however, said it was up to Government to take all of the money, research, and plans invested in the fight against drug and to translate it into treatment.

He urged Government to use the expertise of Bermudians in the treatment of Bermudians.

Dr. Brown also urged Government to recognise the importance of athletics in the fight against drugs.

"When will this Government come to the understanding that governments that focus their money and energies on young people will spend less money later,'' he said, adding that sports and youth development were "inextricably linked''.