FOCUS director Sandy Butterfield, who runs weekly support groups for Westgate's addicts, said more should be done to curb what she described as "an abundance of drugs in prison''.

She said: "It's a big prison for Bermuda, but it's not that big a prison.

"We have got to put in a system -- and it may be aggravating for both the staff and the visitors and delivery people -- to stop it getting in.'' She said the amount of drugs in prison meant some addicts could find supplies more plentiful inside than outside.

"Some who never used drugs might start and those who were previously marijuana users might experiment or get hooked on cocaine or heroin.'' And she said more resources needed to be spared to help the drugs rehabilitation programme to end the waiting lists inmates had to endure.

"If you have no money you have no staff and if you have no staff you have no programme. It must be very frustrating for people who can't get into the programme because it's full.'' DRUGS DGS