GOVERNMENT will introduce tough new laws to smash the island's drug trade when the new session of Parliament opens today.

A spokesman for the Premier confirmed last night that new legislation to shut down crack houses will be among a raft of crime prevention measures to be unveiled during today's Throne Speech, in which Government sets out its agenda for the coming year.

Press Secretary Scott Simmons said: "Government will implement crack house legislation to create powers to close residences that are used for drug dealing and drug use.

"These powers will also be used for the rehabilitation and re-use of these premises."

Although he would not elaborate, Mr. Simmons added that Government will also reveal other "impressive" crime-fighting initiatives tomorrow.

"We can expect there to be some good news," he told the .

Government first pledged to shut down up to 17 known crack houses last year.

But by September only six of the targets had been taken out of commission and Government confirmed the programme had stalled because it lacked the necessary legal powers.

Minister of the now scrapped National Drug Control Ministry, Wayne Perinchief pledged at the time that new laws would be drafted and that the issue was "a priority".

He pointed out that current legislation allowed Government to close vacant and derelict homes but that the law was ineffective in tackling dealers operating out of ordinary houses in respectable neighbourhoods.

It is not certain if Government plans to follow the UK's Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 which gave new powers to control properties or locations where drug sales were causing serious nuisance or disorder.

Police in Britain can issue a closure notice which must be considered by magistrates within 48 hours.

Once approved, the order closes the premises for up to three months while extensions can take it to six months and tenants or landlords who breach the order can be jailed.