Despite its small size, a drugs court is a viable option for the Island says a leading American judge.

Judge John Parnham of Pensacola, Florida, recently told The Royal Gazette that a drugs court was a realistic option for Bermuda.

"Pensacola is small as well and there is a court not far from mine which services an area with a population the size of Bermuda and it also works well there,'' Judge Parnham said. "I'm very excited about the possibility of having one here.'' But he could not say how long it would take to get the special court up and running.

Judge Parnham flew into Bermuda on Thursday to share his drug court experiences with locals and to try to fit the American model to the Bermudian legal system.

He was invited to the Island by the National Drug Commission to meet with several key members of the judiciary and Government.

Earlier this month, Premier Pamela Gordon revealed that Government was considering the creation of a court to deal with addicts who committed drug-related offences.

Ms Gordon said the court could be used to refer the addicts to treatment programmes and would hopefully "reduce recidivism''.

Judge Parnham explained: "We don't deal with violent or serious offenders. We focus on that segment of the population that are first or even second time offenders who get into the criminal justice system because of drugs or alcohol.

"We encourage them to abstain from drugs and alcohol,'' he added. "It is a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated plan.'' Under this system, Judge Parnham said, the court has the ability to refer someone to rehabilitation.

"In Pensacola the person has to agree to the rehabilitation,'' he explained.

"But once they agree to it it is binding and the court has a wide discretion if someone does not follow through.'' Judge Parnham is accompanied on the four-day visit by the director of the Office of Justice Programmes at American University, Joseph Trotter.

Mr. Trotter's office has received a technical assistance grant from the US Justice Department to collect information about drug courts throughout the US.

"The meetings have been general thus far,'' Judge Parnham said. "I have been impressed by the reception we've received thus far.'' And he said that there were a number of benefits to operating a drugs court.

"It is a win-win situation for everyone,'' he said. "It enhances public safety by allowing the system to respond in a way that encourages those brought before the court to make a lifestyle change. This will benefit Bermuda at large.

"It is a no nonsense approach, it is not soft on crime,'' he added.