Government backbencher Dean Foggo has volunteered to undergo random drug testing.

The St. George's PLP MP said he wanted to get drug tested in order to get away from the "side issues" of MPs refusing to be tested and instead focus on the main issue of a drug-free Bermuda.

At the close of the last parliamentary session on December 17, 2005 Government moved that the House of Assembly should merely take note of the Opposition's motion that all MPs should voluntarily undergo random tests.

"I will take part in voluntary drug testing," Mr. Foggo said. "I have lived a drug free life all my life. If it takes getting tested for a drug-free life to be highlighted, I will be tested."

Mr. Foggo said he knew only one other Government MP ? Minister of National Drug Control Wayne Perinchief ? who had voluntarily tested himself for illegal drugs so far.

"A lot of the focus has been on the side issues, which take us off the main focus," he said. "Hopefully this should start an effort to stop focussing on side issues and stop the use of drugs in Bermuda.

"The whole issue is living a drug free life, not about taking a test. Everyone could go and take a test but the main thing is that we live a drug free life."

People at his church ? who knew he did not use illegal narcotics ? had asked him why he had not been tested for drugs, he said.

"I said okay ? let's remove that issue. I was reflecting on how people look at us."

But this was not a political move, he said, although he could see how some people rebuked Government MPs for not embracing voluntary drug tests in December.

"Some people would say yes, some would say no. Those who say yes, see it as the Opposition making it a political issue ? to make political points. A lot of people say they thought they saw Government taking licks for it. But my reasons for getting drug tested have nothing to do with politics."

Mr. Foggo was inspired by a street rally by the Bermuda Against Narcotics (BAN) on Saturday where international guest speaker Imam Yahya Abdullah issued a challenge to the Progressive Labour Party to "hurry up and get drug tested".

"I totally understand it does have political ramifications, but not this time," he said. "I don't take drugs."

New Shadow Finance Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin ? who was adamant that the House debate her motion in December? said on Tuesday Mr. Foggo had made a positive step.