A Progressive Labour Party Government would appoint a "Drug Czar'' with the aim of bringing the drugs industry to its knees.

Heading a special committee, the individual would target the supply lines and the men behind the scenes in a bid to rid Bermuda of the terrible trade.

Shadow Minister of Public Safety Alex Scott announced the move in a joint press conference with candidates Lt. Col. David Burch, Wayne Perinchief and Arthur Hodgson.

He said the person charged with setting up the forum would assist Police in identifying, targeting and bring to justice those who make up the drug industry "establishment''.

"We would charge the committee and the Commissioner with the identification and destruction of the drug distribution networks that feed the users and abusers of drugs,'' he said.

Mr. Scott cited the PLP's Crime Review Committee Report, which stated the role of drugs in major crime in Bermuda.

"Our study revealed a hard core element that effectively recruit young people into negative and drug-related activities.

"Therefore we would introduce a National Youth Service to offer our young people training, community service, adventure and excitement.'' To this end, the PLP plan to appoint a committee to find members of Bermuda's security forces to act as volunteers to work with youth organisations.

Former Magistrate Arthur Hodgson spoke of the role that families play in keeping yongsters on the straight and narrow.

He said over the last 30 years the family structure had been destroyed and that Government had become an "advocate'' of that breakdown.

"The cornerstone of every Government agency that touches the lives of children must have as its policy an encouragement to form structures where parents, particularly fathers, are taking their responsibilities as parents,'' he said.

He added that entry qualifications to the workplace should be identified in a bid to divert young men away from crime.

"All of this takes time but we must begin now to ensure we do not destroy yet another generation of young men as we have done with this present generation.'' Prisoners at Westgate should not be allowed to "sleep'' through their sentences, when there is plenty of work to be done on the Island, he said.