Addiction Services because they had no room for him.

The 33-year-old married man said he was shocked that he could not get onto the course to cure his $100-a-day heroin problem.

Refusing to give his name in case it may embarrass his family, the man is calling on the Government to increase the service which has already cured many addicts.

He said: "I am not complaining about the Drug Addiction Services. What they do is good. But they are just not able to cope with enough people.

"I am trying to cure an addiction that is costing me a lot of money but I was told there was `no room at the inn.' "They told me that they had eight to 10 people on the waiting list and only 30 people are allowed on the course. There is just one person who counsels and hands out the methadone to addicts.

"Instead of spending money on a prison to deal with Bermuda's criminals the Government should put money into increasing the programme which would stop people on drugs having to turn to crime to pay for their fix.'' The man said he became involved with marijuana at the age of 11 and then started to take heroin when he was 17. Over the years he has been able to support his habit by holding down regular employment.

But since he was married four years ago he has started to struggle and is now looking at selling some of his possessions.

He said: "I have had to take two jobs. One to support my family and one to support my habit. Sometimes I have worked 16 hours a day which affects the time I spend with my family.

"A lot of people turn to crime in this situation. They need money to pay for drugs. But I have always been straight even though it normally costs me between $75 and $100 a day. It is very expensive.

"I want to find a cure but my country will not help me.'' Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Cann said that the Drug Addiction Services being full was a rare occurrence.

Dr. Cann said: "In some periods the number of clients has been next to nil.

It is a very fluid situation but the staff can still deal with emergencies.'' Although the course is full now he said that within a few weeks there could be places to be filled.

But Dr. Cann warned that places depended on how the staff assessed the addicts involved and whether they thought they could benefit from the treatment given.