A drugs researcher has blasted Government policy on drugs testing in sport for "taking people away from sports''.

Walton Brown, who has carried out extensive research on behalf of the National Drug Commission, launched the broadside following revelations that the national soccer team is embroiled in another drugs scandal. One member of the squad has failed a drugs test while as many as nine others refused to take the test following a series of international matches last week.

Mr. Brown argued athletes were being penalised for the recreational use of illegal drugs such as marijuana.

Instead, he said, testing should focus on the abuse of performance enhancing drugs which athletes might use to gain an unfair advantage in their particular field.

And he questioned why the Island's sportsmen and women were being singled out for testing while many other role models such as businessmen, lawyers and politicians, were never tested.

Mr. Brown, who stressed he did not condone the use of any drugs whatsoever, said: "With regard to sport there are two levels of testing. On the international level there is a variety of performance enhancing drugs that are tested for to ensure a level playing field in the sporting arena. It is those drugs that Bermuda should be adhering to.

"But in Bermuda it is the illegal use of drugs that we test for rather than performance enhancers. We even test for people who don't compete, people who aren't playing professionally.

Policy criticised Mr. Brown said his own research suggested that as many as 40 percent of young men used marijuana -- and because of the current drugs policy, the Island's sports sides were being robbed of talent.

"The policy doesn't have to be punitive. Harsh, punitive measures don't work which is why we embrace a policy of harm reduction and positive lifestyles.

"The current system is set up with the primary objective of taking people away from sports. It's entirely illogical.'' But last night Sports Minister Dennis Lister defended the current system, arguing that the use of any drug in sport, be it recreational or performance enhancing, should be abhorred.

He refused to make any statement on the current scandal, saying he could not comment until a final hearing.

"I think at this point my view is to wait until justice has run its course,'' he said. "The player involved seems to think that there is some justification for this being heard before a hearing committee. He is adamant that he is clean and if, for some reason the system is at fault -- and I am not saying it is -- but if there is an error then the system has to be able to clear that person's name.

"The last thing we want going out is that there's a fault in the system. In order for the system to work it has to be seen to be working in both ways. It has to be seen to be working for those who are innocent.

"But the system was put in place as a measure to stop drugs in sport, as a way of saying to athletes that we are serious about eliminating all drugs from sports.''