the streets of Bermuda.

Police are hoping to find the thieves before the synthetic drug can be distributed to addicts.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness warned methadone could be lethal if taken by someone without a prescription.

The methadone is used in detoxicating people from heroin addiction at the headquarters of DAS on Victoria Street in Hamilton.

Chairman and co-ordinator Mr. Bryant Richards said yesterday: "A quantity was stolen. The matter is now in the hands of the Police.

"Methadone is used to detoxicate people who have a heroin addiction. It is a synthetic drug which we can control more easily than heroin.

"But it is still a drug and people can still become dependent on it. It probably could be sold by drug dealers.'' Mr. Edness said: "I want to stress the dangers of using methadone without a prescription. It could be a very dangerous thing.

"It could be as lethal as any other drug, such as an overdose of heroin.

People should know that this is not something they should be playing with.'' The Minister added that security had been adequate at DAS until now. But: "When you are dealing with the sort of person who is desperate to get drugs, it is difficult.

"We will have to increase security. We have been lucky until now to avoid break-ins but it is not unknown for addicts to steal from clinics like this.'' Police declined to make any comment other than confirming that investigations were continuing.