A RECENT survey finds that most people are more concerned about the issue of crime than anything else and least concerned about the issue of Independence.

While I am prepared to defend the Premier for raising the issue of Independence in view of the history of the Progressive Labour Party's stance on that topic, I cannot defend, and am greatly puzzled by, his apparent lack of interest in, or at least any obvious action, towards efforts to prevent our young people from developing into drug-addicted criminals.

We have recently heard about the very positive impact which the Bermuda Regiment, under the leadership of Lt. Col. Eddie Lamb, has on many young men.

But, comparatively speaking, only a very few young men are exposed to the benefits offered by the army. There are other positive efforts being made by other people and organisations such as Big Brothers, Youth Net, the planned Bermuda Sloop organisation and others.

But none of these organisations touch everyone, and usually it is likely to be those who are in greatest need of discipline and support who are likely to remain untouched or who "fall through the cracks".

For that reason, in my view, the Government has a responsibility to establish and support an institute, or institutes, that will reach out to every young person and particularly those who are at greatest risk ? before they get into difficulty.

Mr. Ted Gauntlett has repeatedly put forth a proposal for a mandatory "Bermuda Corps" which would include everyone. I have proposed Parish Committees of concern that will reach out to those young people who are clearly "at risk". I am sure that there are possibly other proposals.

It concerns me deeply that while the Premier has been willing to address the issue of Independence, which is of little concern to most people, I see no evidence that he has been prepared to address crime prevention which is of greatest concern to most people.

It is far too late for both the general public and our tourists when we are concerned only about criminal acts after they are committed.

Our British Overseas Territory status and the ultimate authority of the Governor in certain constitutional areas are non-issues if we choose to concentrate on efforts to prevent our young people from becoming drug-addicted criminals.

Most of those who end up in Westgate as prisoners are black (I am aware that any programme should, like the army, include black, white, rich and poor) thus any "Social Agenda", or "black empowerment" initiative, should begin with a programme of crime prevention, a programme intended to prevent our young people from developing into drug addicted criminals while they are still young and can be influenced.

Perhaps the Premier has not responded because we who have expressed concern are all Bermudian and he will only act if he can find a "foreign expert"?