Senators have called on Government to get tough with the US after it was revealed 5,000 Bermudians could be banned from travelling to America.

Eight members of the 11-seat Senate called on the ruling UBP party to stand up to Washington after The Royal Gazette revealed on Tuesday that a "stop list'' had been extended to include drug users.

And one Senator even warned American agents could be at work across the Island to draw up the list of which Bermudians were regular drug users.

The list, compiled by US immigration officials, only previously included people with drug convictions.

But known drug users are now also included -- and Bermuda's drug clinics have already stopped referrals to rehabilitation centres in the States.

Senate Opposition Leader Sen. Milton Scott told yesterday's Senate meeting: "There are proposals for a drug court but will that be an open court? "There could be agents for the US Government sitting in that court adding five more people to the list every day.

"There could be agents here in all walks of life, even in schools, working to gather information on students and other people who may be taking drugs.'' The National Drug Commission estimates at least 5,000 Bermudians could now be affected and Government officials are already discussing the issue with US immigration chiefs.

Sen. Scott added: "If 5,000 Bermudians are banned from travelling to the US because of the stop list, that represents around one in four adults.

"We should all be concerned about that. That means people are actually sentenced to Bermuda -- to the rock.'' American-born Sen. Lawrence Scott (UBP) added: "Nobody on this Island is satisfied with the misuse by our citizens of illicit drugs.

"But the price these people have to pay is truly one-sided. This is a policy which is that of a bully boy.

"I would have thought that the US has as big a problem with its own citizens involved in drugs. Maybe it is time for us to ask them to check their own house out before they put restrictions on ours.

"The policy needs to be re-thought, otherwise we are going to have social problems here.

"There's nothing wrong with us saying that to the US.'' Sen. Terry Lister (PLP) added: "The US have a way of being your best friend and giving you a hug but sometimes squeezing too tight and strangling you.

"What is the UBP Government proposing to do about this? All of us need to know where the Government is taking us on this issue.

"And we would like them to make a public statement saying we will not tolerate being treated in such a heavy-handed manner.'' Five other Senators supported calls for Government action, including Independent Sen. Alf Oughton .

He urged Government to give recognition to the General Education Diploma, which allows young Bermudians to take High School exams in the US.

The courses, led by PLP Sen. Neletha Butterfield , are for children with behavioural problems.

But Sen. Oughton feared the course could be threatened because the stop list had been extended to drug users.

Senate President Albert Jackson added he was worried more and more Bermudians could be banned from entering the US in future.

He said: "We do not know how the figures will increase from 5,000 as time goes by.

"But young people know now that there's a price tag which they must be able to meet if they want to go to America.

"They will be asked if they have been involved in drugs and if the answer is yes, then the future may be shut for them.'' IMMIGRATION IMM