Cash seized from criminals will be used to educate the public about drugs and help rehabilitate addicts, under a Bill read by Finance Minister Paula Cox yesterday.

The Proceeds of Crime Amendment Act 2009 releases money from the Confiscated Assets Fund for combating drug abuse and improving Bermuda's anti-money laundering regime.

Giving the Bill its Second Reading, Ms Cox told the House of Assembly it would let cash be spent on initiatives including:

¦ investigating suspected drug trafficking and money laundering;

¦ training officials in tackling drug trafficking and money laundering;

¦ covering costs of treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts; and public education on drug abuse;

¦ meeting the expenses of the Department of National Drug Control.

She said in a Ministerial Brief: "Governments around the world are using the funds confiscated from proceeds of criminal conduct for combating drugs crime, preventing drug abuse, treating drug addicts.

"It is evident that such a system embraces a political and practical appeal; it sends the message that the criminals are denied their profits, but also potentially brings fresh money into sometimes troubled budgets. It is, in principle, a win/win solution."

The Bill was approved, with Shadow Finance Minister Bob Richards saying it would be a plus as long as assets are not squandered.