A strong anti-legalisation of cannabis message was sent out by MPs in the House of Assembly.

Government MP Quinton Edness said there had been much talk of the legalisation of the drug but said that any such move would spell the downfall for young people in Bermuda.

He dismissed reports that said the decriminalisation of the drug lowered crime levels and cut off markets to drug dealers.

He said a strong message had to be sent out to young people that messing with drugs could land you in trouble in court, at school and could restrict your liberty by barring travel to the US. "Young people don't need it,'' he said.

"It doesn't make you cool, it affects your life in a very, very negative way.'' He urged people not to be sucked in by people who promoted the legalisation of cannabis, and to think about the children who would be the next generation of adults.

Sports Minister John Barritt backed Mr. Edness's words, saying the process was already underway to achieve a drug-free sports environment. He said testing had already begun of individuals involved in competitive sport and random testing was being done of those who came under the governing bodies of sport in Bermuda.

And anyone who represented Bermuda in competition would also come under scrutiny, he said. He added that there was a duty to parents who entrusted the children to sporting groups, to ensure that they competed in a drug free environment.

Penalties if found guilty would come in three levels, providing those who undergo rehabilitation the opportunity to return to their chosen sport.

Bascome attacks failure to broadcast FA Cup Shadow Youth and Sport Minister Nelson Bascome condemned the fact that the FA Cup match would not be broadcast on local television and that a handful of bars were the only venues where football fans could see the game.

"A number of young people will be disappointed not to have the FA Cup shown live on TV,'' he said.

Finance Minister Grant Gibbons also defended Government's decision to pull down former US Navy homes. Reading from an article in The Royal Gazette Dr.

Gibbons said the properties were full of asbestos and that 17 had previously suffered storm damage.

Meanwhile, the House heard young people were not registering to vote because they feared information gathered might be used against them. PLP MP Paula Cox said she was worried that there was an apprehension amongst people, who were concerned about what might happen to the details provided on the registration forms.

UBP MP Ann Cartwright-DeCouto poured scorn on the pre-electioneering of the PLP, demanding to know where they were going to get the money from for their promises.

PLP deputy leader Eugene Cox lamented the state of the tourism industry, saying there was a need to develop it.