For Focus Counselling Services Clarence Hill is another success in its ceaseless war against Bermuda's drugs scourge which shows no sign of letting up.

Indeed Focus Executive Director Sandy Butterfield believes the drug scene is becoming ever more violent given the cash surrounding the trade.

Certainly the human fall-out is there for all to see.

Sitting in her offices on Union Street Ms Butterfield drew the attention of The Royal Gazette to the bizarre scene in the street outside where a very obviously high man was leaping about erratically, before a passing vehicle seemed to temporarily brought him to his senses.

"I see something like that at least a couple of times a week," said Mr. Butterfield. But while her eyes are sharp her attitude is gentle, encouraging trust from clients she does not judge but merely seeks to help.

For her addition is not a moral lapse but something humans are prone to.

"I think everyone is addicted to something. If I don't have my caffeine I am Jonesing, that is an addiction. I see people standing in the wind and rain outside offices smoking cigarettes."

But it is the harder stuff which has occupied her time during her two decades in drug counselling.

She has seen trends shift with addiction to booze giving way to heroin before crack cocaine came on the scene. Lately heroin is making a comeback while ecstasy is also on the rise even if few users seek help. Drug dealing is now more blatant said Mrs. Butterfield.

"I definitely think there is more violence and people are doing transactions more openly. They don't seem concerned about getting caught or someone seeing something or the Police observing them.

"It doesn't seem to bother them. It's just like they are exchanging a cigarette. I am surprised by the quantity of drugs here when you consider they can only come in by water or air."

Asked about Police action she said: "From where I sit it looks like they could put more effort into it.

"Maybe they are preparing another Clean Sweep," she says hopefully, recalling the anti-drug purge of the mid 1990s. That would be really nice, it didn't last long enough."

She remembers a time when people didn't need keys for their doors.

"I came up in Bermuda when it was so safe, it's sad to see these changes. Bermuda is the most beautiful place on earth, it is my dream this scourge would just disappear."

About 35-40 clients sign into Focus on a daily basis, even if some are not yet serious about quitting.

"They could come here for two or three years and one day they get tired of using drugs."

And when they are Focus is ready to help.

In the meantime every moment they spent at Focus is time spent away from the streets where danger and temptation lurk. "If they are here they are listening to more positive stuff. And if they are here they must be involved in whatever activity is going on."

She said heroin addicts can no more stop their cravings than a person with diarrhoea can be told to stop using the toilet. "If they don't use they get sick." Such clients are urged to get medication to curb the side effects of withdrawal. As well as the their Union Street H.Q. Focus also runs four supportive residencies which house 20 people, said Ms Butterfield who has been at the helm for more than ten years.

The charity is hoping to set up another house for ten clients in St. George's with on-site counsellors but will be pushed given their hand-to-mouth financial circumstances following the demise of charity funders the Council Partners Charitable Trust.

"It makes us work a lot harder, longer hours."

She finds it hard to understand those who worry about having such homes in their community, pointing out the tenants are strictly supervised.

Residents must have passed a 90-day inpatient programme, be in work and undergo vigorous money management from their counsellors, pass random drug tests and go to six meetings a week.

The full programme means they are kept busy and productive 'til late at night.

Clients must report they money they earn, pay off their debts and pay rent and utilities and save what's left. But the homes clearly work. We have had a couple get married, I think two have bought their own places. The community might think these people are unskilled but we have lawyers and middle management, electricians, plumbers and sportsmen."

The transitional housing is crucial to make sure people are firmly on the right track with a regime of counselling and meetings before they are even returned to their families said Ms Butterfield.

And addicts living together are quick to offer emotional support during low points.

Reluctant to say exactly where the homes are she says landlords have been pleased with having the addicts in their properties because they have been kept so clean.

"These guys are better housekeepers than some women."