Money confiscated in drug busts should be channeled into the battle against drug abuse, according to Shadow Health Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome.

Thousands of dollars have been snatched from drug dealers by the Police over the years.

Much crime is blamed on drug addicts who are willing to pay high prices to feed their habit on imported drugs.

Mr. Bascome believes the drug cash will boost the new National Drug Commission.

And his view was backed by National Liberal Party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Mr. Bascome said that the drug culture that has gripped Bermuda has devastated the Island's society.

He said that the Commission, which covers a wide range of concerns about drug and alcohol abuse, as set down in an Act of Parliament needed some amendments.

The Shadow Minister offered his financing idea. He said: "Funds that are confiscated in drug cases could be sent directly to the Commission.

"Those confiscated monies will help them in their fight against drug abuse in this country.'' He was backed by Mr. Darrell, who said: "At present confiscated drug money goes into the consolidated fund.

"`But the money should go towards the fight against drugs by giving it to the Commission.

"Does the Government have any agreement with the United States about how to use drug money and whether it can be used for these purposes,'' he asked.

"Billions of dollars is being exchanged every day in the worldwide drug trade.'' And Independent MP Mr. Stuart Hayward said money was a major cause behind drug abuse in Bermuda. He said: "Selling drugs is a lucrative business.'' He also urged that news reports no longer carry the street value of drugs as this was an inducement for people to enter the trade.

But Minister of Finance the Hon. David Saul said the Commission will be funded by Government through the Budget and will be treated like any other Government quango.

Dr. Saul said the funding of the Commission would be reported as part of the Government's annual budget figures for everyone to see.

Introducing the bill, Minister of Health the Hon. Quinton Edness pointed out that the Commission would deal with both legal and illegal drugs.

He said that he believed alcohol was probably a worse problem than illegal drugs. Mr. Hayward said a large proportion of Bermuda's workforce depended on alcohol and legal drug sales for their income.

All members agreed that drugs are a major problem in the Islands but there was some discontent from the Opposition benches about the Commission itself.

While Government believes the Commission has been set up on a non-political basis, Opposition MPs claim they will not be able to be properly represented.

The Hon. David Saul.