robberies, an increase in domestic violence and a rise in gang street fights.

There is some thinking that this is due to an increase in heroin use. Heroin is now being smoked, often along with cocaine. There is no doubt that both drugs and alcohol more often than not play a part in crime, especially domestic crime and crimes of violence. It is important to deal with drugs, in fact, it may be the most important thing Bermuda has to do. As a Country, we must get on with putting every support behind the National Drugs Authority and that includes cash. We agree with Shadow Finance Minister Mr. Eugene Cox that not enough money is being invested in the battle against drugs. We do wish Mr.

Cox had spoken up when the PLP refused to co-operate with Dr. David Archibald.

Drug abuse is, after all, the major concern of the people of Bermuda.

However, in our view, drugs are not the entire picture.

Crime is often the result of social tensions and Bermuda is in a period of great tension. Crime for cash, or goods easily converted into cash, can indicate that people are having tough times financially. Domestic crimes of violence often result from alcohol and drug abuse. And, as the circle goes, alcohol and drug abuse can be a symptom of social and financial hardship. PLP leader Mr. Frederick Wade has called drinking the "national sport'' and "the ordinary man's idea of recreation''. He may be correct but alcohol abuse is not to be fostered.

Bermuda has been through a long and difficult recession. There is no doubt that Bermuda was prepared for a recession and that Bermuda survived much better than most countries but there were and are hardships which may well manifest themselves in both abuse and crime. People who are unemployed continue to have to live and for the first time since the Second World War Bermuda has had real unemployment. Tough times breed crime. Tough times also breed the tensions that lead to alcohol and drug abuse. It's a vicious circle.

The problem was not helped by a Government which cut the Police Force budget and removed parish constables at a time when it knew that conditions more difficult than Bermudians are used to would be likely to increase crime.

While the recession may be ending and some people think things are getting better, Bermuda is in fact now in tough "out of season'' times. Things are slow at the end of the recession and things are also February slow.

Bermuda is also now in a period of tension much greater than might have been engendered by the forces of recession and the closure of the bases which are beyond our control. There is tension because of the uncertainties brought about by our own actions. We have chosen to debate Independence and to have that debate coincide with recession, bases closure and the questions generated in people's minds by the relaxation of currency control. Those doubts have been increased by the Progressive Labour Party pointing out possible problems crated by floating interest rates and uncertain real estate prices after currency restrictions are relaxed.

Uncertainty over the future leads to abuses and when that is coupled with tough times, you have the kind of problem the Police are pointing out.