But the terrain has enough mines and booby traps to catch the flat-footed politician unawares.

Crime and drugs are always explosive issues. They are close to home, and the victims visible enough to prick the social conscience.

Ask any Bermudian and the twin evils will almost certainly be at the forefront of his mind.

Ask any doorstepping politician and he will tell you the same.

Hardly surprising. Last year saw a 14 percent surge in violent crime, with indecent assaults also increasing. There were big jumps as well in the amount of cocaine and cannabis seized by Police.

Pre-election tactics, logic dictates, will be for Bermuda's main parties to sound tough on crime and drugs.

Make the right noises, and the politician can thread his way through the minefield with ease.

Sound soft or woolly-headed, then watch out ...

Against the economy, education, and jobs, however, drugs and crime, no matter how much on people's minds, are unlikely to become central election issues.

Judging from the House of Assembly reviews of key anti-crime and drugs offensives there is little to divide Government from the Progressive Labour Party.

Legislation to crack down on sex and drug offenders won cross-party support.

And likewise the move to create a National Drugs Commission -- a non-political body to tackle drugs and alcohol abuse.

Sure, there was plenty of political flak exchanged across the benches to brighten up proceedings.

The PLP, for instance, doubted Government's resolve to approve the Opposition's choices for the board of the drugs commission.

And it has pointed an accusing finger at Government over the rising crime wave.

But, after the hullabaloo, everybody went "aye''.

Pundits expect a re-run of such Parliamentary performances as the election campaigns gain momentum.

According to its blueprint the United Bermuda Party's mission is: "To address, treat and ultimately prevent the growing problem of drug and alcohol abuse.'' On crime, the aim is: "To make Bermuda the most safe and just society possible, while ensuring that those who have paid their debt to society are offered the opportunity to return to productive, healthy and law-abiding lives.'' All worthy stuff. Hardly controversial. And hardly likely to offend anyone.

The PLP has yet to deliver its platform. But, judging from a recent statement, its policies on crime and drugs differ little from those of Government.

There was a sting in the release, however.

"The PLP abhors the rising crime wave in Bermuda which is due to failed UBP social policies.'' Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness, who piloted the National Drug Commission Act, agreed Government was sailing in relatively smooth waters.

"I don't think there is any divergence between the parties -- although since this is around election time we will take a poke at each other. Obviously the PLP are as concerned about drugs as we are.'' Mr. Edness said Government had always pushed for a bi-partisan approach to drugs.

And it had, more or less, succeeded after initial heel-dragging by the Opposition on the drugs commission.

"The PLP did not support us, and said it would come up with its own strategy,'' said Mr. Edness.

"The PLP did not come up with its own plan. I think it was a wise decision to make on their part to join the UBP initiative.'' Bermuda should be concerned about drugs since it affected tourism and, therefore, the economy, said Mr. Edness.

He added Government's approach was to come down fiercely on drug traffickers -- and to confiscate ill-gotten gains.

Rehabilitation, however, was the name of the game for addicts.

Delegated Affairs Minister the Hon. Sir John Sharpe said: "I think the public, as a generality, has expected politicians to be tough on crime.'' And, on the doorstep, people wanted tough action against drugs, added Sir John.

He detected, perhaps, a whiff of a difference between the two main parties.

"The PLP is less enthusiastic about stiff penalties as a generality.'' Shadow Social Services Minister Mr. Nelson Bascome, and Shadow Delegated Affairs Minister Mr. Stanley Morton outlined the PLP's position.

The PLP backed the Archibald Commission which was the springboard for the national drugs strategy, they said.

"We would hasten to provide funds for the setting up of the strategy committee to ensure that the war on drugs is properly started and fought.

"The PLP puts emphasis on the demand side of the war on drugs, believing that prevention through education and broad community initiatives are the paramount need.

"We would introduce substance abuse sessions in all schools as a regular part of the curriculum.'' They added: "Rehabilitation would be given a top priority. The PLP would introduce a substance abuse treatment centre which would include a division charged with dealing specifically with treatment of cocaine and heroin addiction, which are areas of rapidly growing abuse.'' Mr. Bascome and Mr. Morton said the PLP backed Judge Stephen Tumim's report on Bermuda's criminal justice system.

A PLP Government would fund community service and the rehabilitation of offenders.

Mr. STANLEY MORTON -- `We would introduce substance abuse sessions in all schools . . .' OCTOBER 1993 ELECTION