Senator Milton Scott should have reported the drug activity he claims is taking place outside Paget Primary School to the Police instead of trying to score political points from the floor of the Upper House.

And a Government Minister criticised the Opposition Senate leader for asserting that Operation Cleansweep had exacerbated the Island's drug problem.

Acting Premier Quinton Edness made these remarks in response to a speech Senator Scott made during the Motion to Adjourn.

During the debate, Sen. Scott claimed that Operation Cleansweep had made the drug problem on Ord Road worse because it had shifted the dealers from the area just west of Lines Food and Liquor Mart.

They now had a new hangout in front of Paget Primary School.

And he said he hoped that Police would swoop down on the dealers who he hoped received "double the penalties,'' once convicted in the courts.

But Mr. Edness refused to accept this characterisation of Operation Cleansweep -- the well publicised undercover operation that used officers from the United States Drug Enforcement Agency to buy drugs in known areas and capture the trade on video tape.

He said:"It is wrong to say that Operation Cleansweep has exacerbated the problem.

"It has not exacerbated the problem at all. Operation Cleansweep was the beginning of a significant move against those who would abuse drugs and drug laws in our country. That effort is continuing.'' Mr. Edness also took issue with the idea that dealers would not be selling drugs outside the school if Operation Cleansweep had never taken place.

And he pointed out that the penalties were already increased for those caught selling drugs near a school or any other place were impressionable young people congregate.

He said that everyone has a responsibility to inform the Police about drug activity in their neighbourhood.

And this was "particularly important'' when the drug activity is near a school.

"Bringing this up during the Motion to Adjourn is not the way to handle things. When the issue is made public it triggers the dealers to the concern.

"He could have called the Acting Police Commissioner and discussed it with him. That is what I would hope any adult would do.'' No free ride for revellers There will be no pre-paid taxis to drive revellers home this holiday.

Intoxicated merry makers will have to make their own arrangements to get home, the Road Safety Counsel and Transport Minister announced yesterday.

"This year there will be very little given and more expected from the public,'' the chairman of the counsel said.

Transport Minister Wayne Furbert yesterday said this year would be different from years gone by.

"We are saying that you have to be responsible and accountable for your own actions,'' Mr. Furbert said.

Last year the Road Safety Council and Government have linked up with sponsors to set up a designated driver campaign to halt drinking and driving over the festive season.

And pre-paid taxis were waiting in line last New Year's Eve to take revellers home free of charge.

Road Safety Chairman George Morton said in light stiffer penalties for impaired driving, it was decided to place the responsibility solely at the drivers' feet.

DRUGS DGS