From Admiralty House Park to Needle Park off Court Street, Bermuda's drugs scourge is obvious. But how deep does the problem go? In the second in a six-part series, Matthew Taylor talks to Health Minister Nelson Bascome on Government's plans to end drug abuse.

Tomorrow: A drug dealer reveals how and why he was able to successfully supply the Island's addicts with narcotics for 18 years.

If there is anyone on the Island more acutely aware of Bermuda's drugs problem, then Health Minister Nelson Bascome would like to meet him.

After eight years working in drugs counselling he now heads a department which is dealing with a third generation of addicts.

Despite facing a rising tide of drugs-related problems Mr. Bascome denies he is playing King Canute.

He says: "It is possible to reduce the drugs problem. It begins with the individual.

"People start with drugs out of peer group pressure. A solid family foundation is the biggest factor in keeping people away from drugs.

"Self-esteem plays a big part of why an individual takes drugs. It's a case of people looking at themselves and not being led to believe what their friends say to them.

"This is an island based around tourism so people have always had the opportunity to abuse alcohol.

"As the world progressed the island moved to drugs. I see a pattern and the fallout gets worse. It can only get worse if the individual progresses to harder drugs.

"It's seasonal usage -- when the cruise ships are here drugs really start to flow -- during the winter months you get dry periods where there are hardly any drugs around.'' However, Mr. Bascome does not see the availability of drugs as the real problem.

"Through increased training and interdiction Customs have stepped up their ability to detect drugs, but when you close one avenue the dealers find another one,'' he said.

"It's difficult to detect a drugs mule -- although it's dangerous, people still try it.'' Mr. Bascome also notes the impact that drugs have on young people.

"Children are damaged because their parents are drug users,'' he says. "On Friday night they choose to spend all their money on drugs and neglect their children.

"When they finally come home they abuse their kids mentally and physically.

This leads to maladjusted young people.'' "Heroin has really escalated and the effects are widespread,'' he added.

"The average user has a $300-to-400-a-day habit. This has an impact on crime which then impacts on tourism and so on.

"There are a number of young people on marijuana. They are still of school age using the drug and flunking classes. They are uncontrollable. They just won't be disciplined.

"The kids on marijuana are getting younger -- some are as young as 12.'' And he is quick to dismiss the popular myth that marijuana, as a herb, is harmless.

He says: "People say it's medicinal but when it's been used in that way it's never smoked.

"There are a lot of carcinogens from smoking marijuana. It's very dangerous to the lungs and the development of the brain. It's worse for teenagers.

"Young people run much further risks than older persons.'' And Mr. Bascome mourns the loss of the taboo regarding harder drugs.

He says: "Around ten years ago dealing in coke and heroin was shunned. People would say they only did marijuana and never did coke. Now there's an acceptance of the harder drugs.'' However, Mr. Bascome says the anti-drugs message has a hard fight countering popular culture.

He says: "The music young people listen to has this acceptance of drugs. Ever since reggae took off in the late 1970s there's been this message. Bob Marley sang: `Scuse me while I light my spliff.'' "But the problem is that you can't get children not to watch VH1 or BET. Even if you did, they'd still listen at a friend's house.'' The next stage in the Minister's war on drugs is to increase the amount of residential care.

"We are planning to redirect the current residential care system,'' he reveals. "One of my goals is to not have young children incarcerated with older criminals.

"We need more secure facilities. They are getting more violent and out of control -- more prone to run away. There's a shortage of beds.'' Drug courts are also a big part of the Minister's plan.

He says: "The National Drug Commission must make sure treatment capacity is totally functional.

"The facilities must be in place for us to be able to refer people. We are also looking to expand residential care for men. We need a 20-bed facility. We currently have ten beds.'' And Mr. Bascome denies there is a waiting list for addicts needing treatment.

"If there is a heroin addict needing detox, they will get something straight away,'' he promises.

"Cocaine, however, is a mental addiction. If the addict isn't entirely ready to give up, then there is no point in trying to help him.'' "I never give up hope,'' he adds. "Only today I got a call from somebody I used to help at the Salvation Army. He was a hardcore drug addict but he has turned his life around.''