Government has declared today the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking' and has launched an Island-wide campaign to help fight the scourge of drugs in Bermuda.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) spearheaded the global initiative that is being supported by the Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) — within the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation.

Its slogan, "Do drugs control your life? Your life. Your community. No place for drugs," will be used for three years and focus on different aspects of drug control.

Drug abuse in 2007, drug cultivation and production in 2008 and illicit drug trafficking in 2009 — are among the topics to be addressed in the drive.

Minister of Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, announced: "As a country that has a recognised drug problem, Bermuda welcomes the opportunity to participate in this international campaign.

"And, this initiative will also serve to highlight the concerted efforts of the Government in addressing the local drug problem.

"The Ministry of Social Rehabilitation believes that the local problem can be controlled.

"Our efforts to hasten Government and community involvement are evident in the recent development of an imminent national strategy for drug control."

When asked if Government had any plans to introduce further legislation to combat the problem, Mr. Butler added: "We anticipate some legislative changes once the Cabinet has the opportunity to determine the direction of the Ministry, in regards to a national drug strategy.

"That strategy has just been presented to me, we've made a couple of revisions and it's still in its draft form.

"Once we have completed the inclusion of all of the stakeholders' feedback, a Cabinet paper will be sent, a decision will be made, and the public will be informed."

Starting today, informative fliers will be handed out to members of the public, in Victoria Park in Hamilton, to help bolster the message of the drugs fight.