They are taking part in the third phase of a Drugs Don't Work Here programme.

Management and staff are expected to undergo eight days of training a month.

It will include training in drugs awareness and intervention.

The programme is sponsored by the National Drug Commission (NDC) in partnership with the Bermuda Industrial Union (BIU).

Hotels who recently joined include: Ariel Sands; Coral Beach; Grotto Bay; Horizons; Lantana; Marriott's Castle Harbour; Newstead; The Reefs; and Waterloo House.

Four other properties adopted the policy at an earlier phase of the programme: the Belmont; Cambridge Beaches; the Harmony Club and Sonesta Beach.

The third phase started on May 1 and will run until July 31.

NDC chairman Mansfield Brock Jr. said the programme marked a major community involvement in fighting drugs abuse.

"The active involvement at every stage of the Bermuda Industrial Union and the hotel owners represents a genuine commitment on the part of the community to first reduce and then, hopefully, eradicate the effects of substance abuse in the Bermuda workplace.'' He added: "With the implementation of the programme, we will soon be able to say of our hospitality industry, and later the entire Bermuda workforce, that drugs don't work here -- and mean it!'' Mr. Brock said phase one, a pilot scheme, received help from the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, the Bermuda Hotel Association, the BIU and the Employers' Council.

It resulted in general agreement on the "policy elements'' an anti-drugs workplace programme should include.

And it led to a booklet setting out goals and steps needed to wipe out drug abuse. A contact list was included.

Mr. Brock said the second phase lasted six months and allowed the four hotels involved at that stage to make the policy a reality.

Cambridge Beaches was the first to successfully complete the programme, Mr.

Brock added.

TOURISM TOU