too many illegal drugs are factors contributing to Bermuda's increasing violence and declining quality of life, Bermudians said this week.

With Sunday's shooting at the Spinning Wheel Night Club, The Royal Gazette asked young and old Bermudians their thoughts about the disturbing rise in violent crime.

Mr. Kent Simmons 43, said he was concerned with the amount of crack on the Island and parents not helping their children enough.

"Bermuda is cracking up, and parents are not disciplining their children,'' he said.

"Children are raising themselves, and from birth they are in someone else's care because of the economic situation. Everyone has to work so they can't afford to stay home with children.

"Family values are not there like they use to be. As far as the guns are concerned, guys are just showing off because of publicity. Nobody brought them out before but because of the amount of publicity, they are now bringing them out.'' A 21-year-old man said Bermuda's problems were definitely drug related.

"There are too many drugs on the Island and as far as the shooting this past weekend that is the price you pay when you're in the drug life. It's just a risk.'' Miss Corinne Parris, 30, said: "Crime is escalating and I think it has a lot to do with what young people watch on television and movies. This past weekend's gun shooting had to do with drugs and the lack of responsibility in children is the cause of all this.'' Miss Shiann Thompson, 29, said too many children are out of the house too early.

"Young people are getting away with too much and they are getting out of hand,'' Miss Thompson said.

She added: "It's frustrating because I have a nine-year-old daughter and I'm afraid to take her out for Hallowe'en. Something has to be done because you just can't go out anymore and enjoy yourself without someone starting something.'' Mr. Stewart Emercer said: "People are bringing guns in somehow and if someone can find the source it might help. The crime level in Bermuda is definitely connected to drugs.'' But Ms Heidi Skinner said she thinks the crime situation in Bermuda stems from a lack of guidance in the home.

"There is a lot of gangs and fighting in Bermuda and it is being glamourised in movies and Nintendo games,'' Ms Skinner said.

She added: "There is also a big disrespect to Police officers. Teens have a `don't carish' attitude about what happens to them which stems from home.'' Young Jevon Easton 16, said the amount of crime on the Island comes from the fact that there is nothing to do.

"There are also a lot of drugs in Bermuda and people are taking other people's drugs and they are getting fed up, like what happened on Saturday night at Spinning Wheel,'' Mr. Easton said.

He added: "Guys think they are large, that they are the man when they have guns.'' And 16-year-old Johnathon Fox said that when people have a gun in their possession and get frustrated they just use it.

However, Curious Cook Mr. Edward Bottone said: "People have lost their self-respect and respect for others.'' He added: "In the end it is a question of dignity and caring.'' Mrs. M. Steede said that young people are just hot-headed.

"We need to bring the lashing back at home and in schools. Children are bringing up themselves and it hurts because it's our children,'' Mrs. Steede said.

And Mrs. Anita King said Bermuda needs more Police out in the streets. She added: "Most of the crime happens because of drugs. It's scary and it makes me wonder if it's safe to go out at night.'' But Mr. David Fox said that stress is the cause of most of the crime. He added: "The same people who are bringing in the drugs are the same people who are bringing in the guns.

"If you want to solve the drug problem, we have to take a truthful look at who are bringing in the drugs and how they are coming in.'' Mr. Edward Bottone Mr. Jevone Easton Mr. Stewart Emercer Miss Corinne Parris Mr. Kent Simmons Ms Shiann Thompson