in international sporting events.

Premier Pamela Gordon told The Royal Gazette Government would examine future participation -- if the drug suspicions over the Malaysia tour proved well-founded.

She voiced shock at any suggestion Bermudians could defy laws in a country where the death penalty was mandatory for drug traffickers.

"If there is any validity that something went on then those responsible are lucky to come back alive.'' Ms Gordon, who has put fighting drugs at the top of the political agenda, said Malaysia had a reputation for enforcing the death penalty.

Previously the country has executed people in the face of worldwide pleas for clemency.

Drug dealers thinking of visiting Malaysia are left in no doubt about the risks. And travel brochures warn visitors: "Trafficking illegal drugs such as opium, marijuana, heroin, ganja, morphine etc. carries the mandatory death sentence.'' Said Ms Gordon: "If these accusations over Bermudian players are such that the president of the BCBC deemed them significant enough that he intends to have an investigation, it's very important that we send the right message to the community about drugs.'' She added Bermuda's reputation had already taken a knock over the 1994 "Miami Seven'' saga when several soccer players were arrested for allegedly possessing marijuana. At the time she was Sports Minister.

It would be a serious blow if the Island was caught up in similar controversy, said Ms Gordon.

"If the accusations are substantiated, Government will have to have a second look at international sporting events and our participation in them.'' Two weeks ago, Ms Gordon, speaking at the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation's Drug-Free Sports Conference, pledged Government's support in the fight to eliminate drugs from sports.

She also reminded representatives of sports groups that they could solve the problem through "demand reduction.'' "One of the reasons that I believe demand reduction is so important and why we in this room hold the key to demand reduction is the fact that many of our young people want to be involved in sport,'' she said.

Government's Drug Free Sports Policy -- sparked by the Miami incident -- is expected to be in place by early next year.

GOVERNMENT GVT WOMEN WOM