Testing for recreational drugs among Bermuda?s sporting fraternity has proven to be a deterrent.

Chairman of the Bermuda Council for Drug Free Sport (BCDS) Jon Beard said positive test results have been recorded among those who are randomly selected for testing.

So significant has been the ?improvement in the lack of positives? that BCDS have reduced their testing to five percent of the pool rather than ten percent.

?There have been positive tests but what we have been finding with random testing is that they (positive tests) have been reducing. The positive results in random testing for international competition and domestically have dropped dramatically. Therefore, it (testing) has been working,? declared Beard, adding that the test pool could be increased again if positive results began spiralling.

?The people representing Bermuda are drug free,?

The chairman also disclosed that individual sport-governing bodies have the right to request a higher percentage of their players be tested.

He also estimated that 70 or 80 percent of those who return positive tests agree to the rehabilitation programme so they can at least compete domestically while serving the international portion of their one-year ban.

The BCDS chief said that while the council were contacted ?about the situation? concerning Devonshire Cougars footballers Raymond Beach, Heys Wolfe and Omar Butterfield, there has been no word on whether the trio intend to undergo rehabilitation. The players were banned after refusing to submit a third drug test last month after their first two tests proved ?invalid?.

?We have explained how they can play again if they wish which is obviously to have a drug-free test. Then we can move from there,? added Beard.

Asked if he is satisfied with how the testing process is working, he replied that his ?only concern is whenever there?s an issue it suddenly explodes and it?s usually because of a degree of apathy over the understanding of the programme?.

?People only get interested when it suddenly affects them as opposed to being aware of it ahead of time.

?If you want to represent your country then you?re going to be drug tested. If you don?t know that, well it?s a pity but I can?t imagine that too many people don?t know that.?

Confidentiality prevented Beard from disclosing which sports have returned the most positive results but he noted that sometimes when a player ?goes off the scene then that (a positive test) might be the reason?.

?Players have got to make that decision. If they know that testing is out there then it?s their choice. Playing sport is a privilege and not a right and therefore if they want to play there is a process to follow and if they don?t follow it then there is another process,? stated Beard.

?It?s not as if we?re going after anybody. We?re simply doing what we have been asked to do. We?re a volunteer committee put there by the national sports? governing bodies to run the Drugs In Sport programme and we?re just following instructions.?