must come to terms with the drugs menace or risk damaging its future. We do not detect the public will or the public determination to deal effectively with drugs. The Police Service does appear to be moving against importers but it is not enough and can never be enough.

Going back 30 years to the time when this newspaper was severely criticised in Parliament..."drugs will never be here''...for pointing out the beginnings of a drug problem, Bermudians have preferred to look away.

Michael Mylod has been quoted as saying; "I think this Country has to come to terms with drug abuse because if it does not I think the problem will damage the Country. There has to be a national approach and I do not see that emerging yet.'' Every suggestion that is made, from property confiscation laws to rehabs and half-way houses, seems to be put off until tomorrow and tomorrow. When that is coupled with the lack of anti-drug support from the Progressive Labour Party and the standard the PLP set when it refused to take part in the second Archibald Commission, it amounts to something much less than unified determination.

Part of the problem is that those involved with drugs or drug abusers generally keep very quiet and those who do not think they are touched by drugs leave the problem to someone else. The truth is that we are all involved because drugs have the potential to destroy Bermuda. Small Islands are more vulnerable than most countries.

Bermuda must arrive at a point where the public says in unison: "Not in my house. Not in my neighbourhood. Not in my Country.'' Yet we say that knowing that Bermuda still tolerates the promotion of drug use. We did so recently when we rented the National Stadium and drugs were promoted openly from a National Stadium stage. Today's drug culture was partly created by rock musicians and it is still promoted in songs which blare into our homes. We show films, the best propaganda there is, which make drugs glamorous or fun. Then we appoint talky committees and buy dull ads to warn of the danger of drugs.

While this goes on, the great majority of crimes are drug related and that ranges from assaults under the influence of drugs or thefts to support a drug habit.

Where is the action? The last we heard there was no more money for action even though the huge profits from drug sales are capable of disrupting the economy.

Isn't that strange?