News that one of its candidates had been arrested and found to be in possession of marijuana, caught the governing party by surprise.National Security Minister Wayne Perinchief acknowledged that the party was “caught on the backfoot” when Makai Dickerson informed them a few days ago about his arrest.Makai Dickerson admitted in a press statement early yesterday morning that police found him in possession of a “very small” amount of marijuana.But Mr Dickerson’s arrest was in early September before he was rolled out as a ruling party candidate.Mr Perinchief reiterated his view that there should be zero tolerance for possession of illicit drugs when asked whether the party was not sending a wrong message by standing behind Mr Dickerson as a candidate.“The decision to retain Mr Dickerson as a candidate would be that of the party and you would have to talk to the party leader and the candidate selection committee about that part,” he said.“We do know that there is a move, and evolution to eventually decriminalise small amounts of marijuana for personal use. At this point, I must emphasise that it is still an illegal substance and any amount of it is illegal and it’s illegal to be in possession of it.”He added: “There has to be zero tolerance for possession or use of any illicit drug and that’s the position that we and the party and the Government continue to take.”But he indicated that he was “not aware of whether he (Mr Dickerson) is being retained or not.“It’s not election day yet and I am sure that a decision is being made as to what happens in this case.”Mr Perinchief said that while Mr Dickerson had been arrested on September 8, “that only came to light by his own disclosure. But I do not believe that it was a generally known thing that he had been arrested. Certainly some of us were very shocked, surprised and caught on the backfoot by the revelation”.Mr Dickerson had only disclosed his arrest to the party “within the last few days”.Mr Perinchief was speaking at a press conference on Government’s anti-gang efforts.Asked to elaborate on the move toward decriminalisation, Mr Perinchief said that it had not been legislated but that police did implement a caution policy when people were found to be in possession of marijuana.“Police have the option to caution for small amounts for personal use, but it is discretionary and those decisions are made through a set formula,” said Mr Perinchief.Accompanying him was candidate Jonathan Smith, a former Police Commissioner, who clarified that police had been operating its caution policy for many years when someone was found with small amounts of marijuana for personal use.“The ultimate aim is to ensure that our young Bermudians in particular do not get criminal records as a result of these transgressions of the law,” Mr Smith said.“The caution policy has actually been in place for 30 to 40 years at least through the police but it has only recently been codified and agreements in place between the DPP and the police.”He stressed that he was not speaking specifically to Mr Dickerson’s case. “But there’s a caution policy in place for very specific reasons. It’s really to give people a second chance.”Mr Smith said he had never smoked marijuana, when asked.Mr Perinchief said: “In my younger days, I had one puff. And unlike Mr Clinton, I did inhale. Have I been drug tested since I became a politician? Yes. Was I clear? Yes.”In a prepared statement issued yesterday morning, Mr Dickerson said: “I made a mistake. I ask my God, my family and my community for forgiveness.”"While travelling to Dockyard one evening, some friends and I were pulled over at a checkpoint. We were searched and a very small amount of marijuana was found on my person. The substance was not mine and I didn't even know it was there. It was stuffed at the bottom of my friends' cigarette box which I had on my person."As instructed by the officer, I will appear at the Hamilton Police Station on 16 December where I expect to receive a warning. I am certainly warned, and shaken."At no time did I ever ask anyone for help on this personal matter. I take full responsibility for my actions."I know that a lot of our young Bermudian men and women have experienced these kinds of challenges. It shows how strong a society we are that our people can make mistakes and be forgiven. I ask for that forgiveness."The legal basis for the police “checkpoint” which stopped Mr Dickerson and his friends is unclear.Also in a prepared statement, the PLP said: "Makai has made a mistake. This mistake is one that is familiar to many Bermudian families. We believe in second chances. This young leader has faced challenges and has overcome. We know that he will overcome once again and that's why we are giving him this second chance. We encourage constituents in Constituency #12 to give him that second chance.”Drug use is widespread in the community. More than three quarters of students surveyed by Government in April reported that they had used at least one drug in their lifetime.Overall, the number of students who admitted using drugs fell since the last survey of students was performed in 2007. Lifetime alcohol use fell from 66.9 percent to 54.9 percent, marijuana use fell from 23.9 percent to 21.2 percent and cigarette use halved from 21.9 percent to 10.7 percent.Around one-fifth of those surveyed (19.1 percent), said they had drunk alcohol in the last month, compared to 37.5 percent in 2007. The current use of other drugs similarly fell, with 7.9 percent smoking marijuana in the last month compared to 12.8 percent in 2007.The survey was administered to students between the ages of ten and 18 attending public, private and home schools on the Island.A total of 3,182 students (53 percent female and 46 percent male), completed the self-administered questionnaire. The majority of respondents were black (62.7 percent).Mr Dickerson could not be reached for comment. And the PLP did not respond when asked whether it was concerned about Mr Dickerson’s failure to disclose his arrest to the party when it happened.