Sports groups have been extended one more "olive branch'' in Government's anti-drugs crusade.

Three weeks before a critical Drug Free Sports Campaign conference, the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation have issued invitations to the Island's 35 national sports bodies and 28 clubs for a special meeting tonight at the Ministry offices.

The purpose: Put to rest any of their lingering concerns; Fill out a questionnaire asking groups to identify the types of substance abuse so that a clearer picture of how to control them will emerge; Get the remaining sports bodies to sign on before they are left without input in the formation and implementation of a Drug Free Sports Policy.

Only 27 of the 35 national governing bodies and only eight of the 28 clubs have pledged their support for a Mission Statement first unveiled at the Drugs Free Sports Conference in January.

Ministry director Brenton (Anthony) Roberts last week refused to identify the malcontents but said he would after tonight's meeting.

But he said he was not disappointed by the seemingly poor response.

Of the eight governing bodies yet to come on board, all represent "very minor'' sports, he said, and probably haven't even discussed the statement or bothered with it. The 26 sports that have applied for Ministry grants in the recent budget have come on board. And Roberts thinks most of the clubs will sign on after he met with them last Monday in an attempt put to rest their ongoing concerns about what the new policy will mean to their cash cow -- alcohol sales during and after games.

"I hope I allayed any fears that existed,'' he said.

While there are hopes sports clubs could eventually be weaned off the need for alcohol revenues, Roberts said he "made it abundantly clear'' that the role of the policy is not the abolition of liquor but the responsible control of it.

Either way, "I haven't heard any expressions from groups saying they don't like what we're doing (in instituting a policy),'' he said.

Roberts acknowledged that uncooperative sports groups cannot be mandated into coming on board -- although that won't prevent the Ministry from pushing forward.

"The consequences of not participating will, in the long run, only hurt sports,'' he said.

"We would like them to be part of the process. But the process cannot be derailed by lack of participation.'' That means the next step in the formation of a policy -- coming with the assistance of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports and encompassing widespread drug testing -- will proceed as scheduled on April 11-12.

"Parents need to be satisfied that when they place their child in sports, it will be free and clear of drugs,'' Roberts said.

DRUGS DGS