ERROR RG P4 20.10.1995 A story in yesterday's paper incorrectly stated that the crime spiral had slowed as crime increased by 13 percent in the six months since Police Commission Mr. Colin Coxall has held the post. It should have stated that crime had decreased by 13 percent.

A $5 million target to fund anti-drugs initiatives was reached yesterday as campaign organisers warned: the war on drugs starts now.

Almost exactly 12 months ago the Council Partners was launched with the aim of raising million of dollars to fund five years of anti-drugs programmes.

Yesterday the fund-raising came to a close as the target was reached in one year -- although organisers expect more money to roll in.

At a ceremony to mark the occasion, Deputy Premier and Education Minister, the Hon. Jerome Dill, said: "It is this kind of community-based effort which will result in us making progress in the war on drugs.

"We are now in a war against drugs, but this war will only proceed successfully with people's help and dedication.'' The Council Partners idea was conceived about two years ago when five groups banded together to raise cash to fund anti-drugs schemes.

Under the umbrella of the Partners name, the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Focus, which works with reformed addicts; Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education; Fair Havens, and the Lions Quest Programme joined forces to raise cash.

The aim was to raise $5 million to fund anti-drugs programmes into the next century.

Yesterday, a series of speakers voiced praise for the Council Partners campaign and mapped out their hopes for the future.

Mr. Charles Vaughan-Johnson, the honorary campaign chairman, said: "What the success of the campaign tells me is that the will of the people of Bermuda to make this happen is there and is very strong.

"Our objective now is to focus on the target of the Council Partners -- to provide support for the elimination of drugs use.'' Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Committee Mr. Arnold Francis said the magnitude and depth of the drug problem in Bermuda could not be overstated and had the potential of reaching every home in Bermuda.

"I would ask everyone to keep in the forefront of your minds the purpose of the Council Partners and give support and financial help to those people who are helping to reduce and eliminate this scourge on human society.'' Essentially, the money raised will go towards programmes of drug education, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Programmes by all five groups are already underway -- such as the Lions Quest programme for primary school children on drug prevention.

Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall also spoke at the ceremony, held at the Hamilton Princess, and told the audience that crime had risen by 41 percent in the first three months of this year.

He added, however, that the upward spiral had slowed as crime increased by 13 percent in the six months he had been in the post. He reiterated to the guests that his aim was to crack down on the drugs problem by beefing up the drugs squad and putting more bobbies back on the beat.

Also speaking was Mr. Mansfield Brock, chairman of the National Drug Commission, who said a national drug strategy was being compiled which he hoped would become a national action plan.

"Drugs is an adult problem. It is not a child's problem, but above all else until such time as all Bermudians, of all political persuasions and social backgrounds, get together and say `we've had enough' we will not beat the drug problem.

"If we are going to have a war, we have got to fight a war. You are either part of the solution or you are part of the problem,'' said Mr. Brock.

Council Partners chairwoman Mrs. Kathy Watson, said: "The goal of the Council Partners campaign was $5 million. We have exceeded that goal by raising $5.129 million. Everyone should be proud of this accomplishment.''