Bermuda's soccer players are to receive a stern warning about drug abuse.

The message will be hammered home at a special Monday night meeting to discuss plans for Bermuda's tour of Jamaica in mid-February when they take part in CONCACAF's qualifying round of the Shell/Umbro Cup.

It comes amid growing concern about widespread use of marijuana and more serious drugs among Bermuda's youth.

Bermuda Football Association are expected to emphasise their tough stand against drugs and discuss other plans the new administration intend to enforce in order to restore Bermuda's credibility in the Caribbean and at the overall international level.

It is believed the message will be loud and clear that players assembled to train for selection will have to agree to being tested for drugs prior to training, during training and again prior to their departure for Jamaica, although BFA president Neville Tyrrell yesterday stopped short of confirming such.

The discussion of drugs, particularly in relation to the Miami Seven saga, is something the BFA are not keen to publicly comment on.

However, Tyrrell said yesterday: "We will be informing the players about our strict drug policy in no uncertain terms. They will be reminded in the first instance, while others new to the programme will be told of the policy against drugs.

"It is a requirement for all players, before being accepted into the programme, that they sign on and agree to the policy. Various forms will have to be read and signed by them adhering to the necessary guidelines, but the actual timing of the testing has yet to be established.'' Tyrrell, who was tour manager during the Miami Seven incident, said that he endorsed remarks earlier this week by First Vice President Aldwyn Savery who said he didn't feel that players chosen would want to put the BFA and the country through any similar problems again.

"Savery said it all. We obviously have learned some things from the past and we will put things in place to see that it doesn't happen again,'' said the president.

"I am not saying that something else could happen, but we will put every effort into minimising any damage that could be done.'' One thing certain is that not one single member of the Miami Seven group will be named to the squad as each remain ineligible following an international suspension imposed by CONCACAF at the request of world governing body, FIFA.

Meanwhile, the BFA have confirmed that Bermuda's two professionals playing in England, Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne, have been contacted and informed about the Shell-Umbro Cup.

They were brought in for the successful World Cup campaign four years ago and were an integral part of that team. And while it's possible that they may be asked to represent their country once again at an international level, no decision has yet been taken.

The interruption last time hindered their progress in England and it remains to be seen if the BFA will ask for their services in a lesser tournament.

"We've been in touch with them. It's not a question of what we are willing to do. We'd like very much to put our best team forward. We will obviously work with these two players and do the best for them and Bermuda,'' said Tyrrell.

"We can insist that they come because of FIFA rules. But I am not saying that we will exercise that option. Obviously we will let common sense prevail as far as this matter is concerned.''