and prominently reporting the recent events in Miami -- probably the biggest crime story in Bermuda during 1994.

The easy way out is for people to shoot the messenger and cover up the problem. This newspaper did not create the community drugs crisis. It warned about the problem 30 years ago and it has publicised drug abuse and criticised inaction on drugs in all the years since. The Royal Gazette 's record is clean on this subject but we have grave doubts about some of the organisations which are now criticising us. The hard way to go, but the correct way, is to face the problem and work as a community to do something about it. But, once again, those most closely involved are passing blame and giving the impression that they are not responsible.

We all have to accept responsibility for a community problem. We impose stiff penalties on visitors to Bermuda who offend against our drug laws. We cannot then ignore or excuse Bermudians who offend.

Drugs are a major problem in Bermuda just as they are in many other places.

Surveys show that drug abuse is the top concern of Bermudians. We cannot be selective in exercising that concern. Covering-up and condoning drug abuse is not a solution. Condoning the importation of drugs is immoral. It is, in fact, to agree to the importation of a killer.

This is not a racial issue since drugs are everywhere although some people seem determined to turn it into one. Nor is it exclusively a sports problem, nor is it confined to one area or the other of Bermuda. Drug abuse is a community problem from which no-one escapes. Every one of us either has abusers in our family or we know abusers or we suffer from the actions of abusers. A very high percentage of crime in Bermuda is committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This is not a situation Bermuda can live with nor is it a situation we should expect the general public to adapt to.

This newspaper has been soundly criticised by some football clubs. The people who run some of the clubs have forgotten that they are there to both protect and promote sport. They have a duty to the club and the players and to Bermuda to make the sport as clean as they can. They should not condone drug abuse nor should they send away to represent Bermuda people they know are abusing drugs.

We understand that there is a difficult situation. Sometimes it is clear that players are using drugs and officials feel that football can be a remedy. Not to allow young people to play might relegate them to further drug abuse but officials should not condone usage. Surely when it is clear that players are continuing to use drugs, as it appears to have been recently in Jamaica, to turn a blind eye is wrong and destructive to the very sport the clubs promote.

There is a higher duty which is not to offend while trying to help. Instead of concern and duty what we seem to see is an attitude of, "So what? Young people use drugs, why do you expect football to be different?'' That is to condone an offence and to suggest that people have permission to use.

It is very sad if Bermuda has such a severe moral crisis that it is willing to accept drug abuse without a fight.