feature articles on heroin abuse. Yesterday's first article indicated a cold and callous approach to pushing heroin which should bring home to people the seriousness of the problem.

The pusher's peers look on him as a general and a leader of men. That is disturbing enough but add to it quotes like: "If he (a heroin addict) has no money, he will steal from anyone to get his taste because be does not want to be Jonesin'.'' "Jonesin' '' is the slang term for withdrawal.

"If it's a girl she will offer sex with as many men as she needs to so that she can get that $20 for her next hit.'' "Every year his customers are younger and more ruthless...'' "Dope selling to me is simply a business.. .'' " If I had a nine to five job I would not be able to have the things I have managed to get and visit some of the places I have travelled to. I don't even think about what this is doing to anyone else...'' "Yes I sell drugs. I won't say that I am proud of that but I am not exactly ashamed of it either.'' We think it is important for people to understand just how cynical the drug business is -- and it is a business in Bermuda. We should all be alarmed and pay close attention to the statement that the users get younger.

Drug and alcohol abuse are major concerns of the people of Bermuda and the situation is likely to get worse before it gets better.

The people want progress in fighting drugs but they do not yet have the will to come together and work together to get drugs out of Bermuda.

A great many people have had experience of illegal drugs of one kind or another and have fought their own personal battle or worked with a family member on a problem. But because so many people are embarrassed by drug abuse they guard their privacy and certainly no-one can blame them for that on a small island. However, we think that has worked against the public's fight against drugs.

Yet the truth is that Bermuda needs people to go public, take up the fight and come together as citizens against drugs. In the end that is the only way to succeed. There are not enough Policemen or Customs officers in the world, never mind Bermuda, to prevent the importation or the abuse of drugs.

Certainly the Police and the Government have vital roles to play but they cannot do it alone.

The only real way to make progress against drugs is to stop the demand: to stop people using. That can only come from the public, from individuals and families and friends of users and from neighbourhoods.