Cleansweep, Coxall and the Press under focus By Henry Adderley The Opposition Senate Leader sparked off verbal fireworks during yesterday's Senate debate of the Throne Speech when he claimed the war on drugs fizzled out when Operation Cleansweep reached the UBP hierarchy.

Sen. Milton Scott stated that Government's solid record of achievement was not as solid as it implied when its previous promises were looked at.

"I do not believe we are better off than we were four years ago. I think the PLP is in better touch with the people.'' There were concerns about the way Government had handled certain subjects, he pointed out.

And he warned: "I do not think the public will accept any more unfulfilled promises from the Government.'' At the top of the list of community concerns was law and order. "Do we feel safer in our homes now than we did four years ago? I think the answer is no.'' Drugs and crime were escalating and while the National Drug Commission had done a fairly good job of educating the public about the dangers of drugs, there were still no rehabilitation programmes in place.

"When will we come to grips with the problem of drugs?'' he asked.

And recent rumours and innuendoes had brought the Police Service, Government and even the Governor into disrepute, he said.

"I long for the day when we will have a real war on drugs.'' Operation Cleansweep had lost momentum, he lamented. He said he believed this was because it had been able to reach up into the Government hierarchy.

The claim sparked furore on the Government side of the Upper House with Government Leader ET (Bob) Richards exclaiming that the remarks were scurrilous and should either be substantiated or withdrawn.

Mr. Scott countered that he had not mentioned any particular entities but it was known that Operation Cleansweep had reached the Cabinet.

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Yvette Swan told Mr. Scott that he had to have proof of his claims or withdraw them.

Senator Larry Scott added that Mr. Scott had made a very broad sweeping statement and if there was proof of it then he had to produce it or withdraw it.

Mr. Scott replied: "I am moving on.'' Turning to the prisons, he noted that about $50 million had been spent on these facilities but Government had still not got them right. Officials were still having problems with drugs, sit-ins and insufficient staff, he said.

And schools still did not have technical and vocational training despite Government assurances and he was concerned that CedarBridge Academy and the present National Stadium were badly designed and would require further construction work.

Mr. Scott also called for a hard and fast policy on franchises and warned that the Island's health care system was on the verge of a major crisis. He noted that the Tourism industry was declining while unemployment, drug abuse and crime increased.

"This is the downside to building a buoyant economy,'' he said.

Looking at the environment, Mr. Scott said the development of Marginal Wharf in the east end had to be handled carefully. He also called for an end to raw sewage dumping off South Shore.

Senate coverage: Page 8 Milton Scott