Government has been urged to clean up coastline affected by potentially dangerous washed-up drugs.

Opposition Health Minister Kim Young called for an immediate beach-combing exercise to remove pills, vials and other items that have been discovered around the Island in recent weeks.

She was speaking after Health Minister Nelson Bascome revealed that the source of the items, the cargo vessel Guayama , lost several containers at sea after a storm in November.

Bottles of pills and other medical items, started to wash up on shores over a month ago and intensified in the last few days with dozens of items -- including anti-psychotic drugs -- found on west end beaches.

Last night, Ms Young said she would hate to think that the flotsam would be on the shoreline with the tourist season approaching.

"They do emergency clean-ups on the roads when something hazardous is spilled, this appears to be a health hazard and we should do something about it,'' she said. "We should do an emergency clean-up to protect the public.

At a Press conference held yesterday, Mr. Bascome said the containers were lost at sea on November 29.

Chief Medical Officer John Cann said one drug found was Risperdal, produced by Baxter, which was administered to people with mental conditions and therefore dangerous to "those that don't need them''. Sporanox, the other drug, is used to fight fungal infections and is also known as Itraconazole. It is produced by Jannsen. The Guayama was on its way from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when it lost part of its cargo.

Mr. Bascome called on the public to secure any finds and contact either the Police, Park Rangers, or Department of Health immediately, who turn them over to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital for disposal. "If anyone finds this stuff they should turn it in to the proper authorities. They should not dispose of them in the trash,'' he said. Mr. Bascome added: "Contrary to reports today, there are no syringes, but there have been some infusion sets (for intravenous transfusions) washing up. But individuals should not try to use them.'' "We contacted the companies that produce this and they checked their invoices and shipping records and it's believed to have happened in November,'' Mr.

Bascome added.

Dr. Cann issued a strong warning to anyone who may think about using either drug, especially Risperdal, which is washing up in IV bags.

"All drugs, even aspirin are dangerous when taken without advice,'' he said.

"You should not take any drug willy nilly, they all have side effects.

"But Risperdal will have real side effects, especially on those that don't need them,'' he added.

Until now, the finds have been generally in sealed bags, but now loose bottles, vials and some open containers are being found.