A former US deputy drug czar believes that Bermuda could become a stopping point for drugs on their way to the US.

Andrea Barthwell worked as an advisor for US drug policies under President George W. Bush in 2002.

"Bermuda could very easily become a place where drugs could be dropped in transit," Dr. Barthwell said.

"In the United States, there's a demand in some circles for foreign-grown drugs. And where tourism exists, the drug trade flourishes. You have people with time who want to spend money."

Dr. Barthwell visited the Island last week as the Department of National Drug Control celebrated September as Recovery Month. Recovery Month started in the US 20 years ago as a means of removing the stigma attached to drug treatment.

According to Dr. Barthwell, Bermuda's drug trade is also a key cause of gang violence that has recently plagued the Island.

"The two go hand in hand. As demand for drug increases, people get drawn to that, and then they fight for their piece of it," she said. "Gangs need something to circle around drugs, violence, sex, rituals. Things that people don't do openly.

"In places where drug traffic and trade flourishes, it destroys the democratic process and society."

Bermuda's small size is an advantage it has over the US, Dr. Barthwell said. She believes if the community comes together to fight the drug problem, we can overcome it.

"The drug industry is mature. It's worked out the risks. Push on it in one place, and it bulges out in another. If someone gets out, there's always someone willing to slip in."

"The only way to really fight the problem is sustained pressure on all points."

The key to reducing gang activity, she said, is to reduce the demand for drugs by both discouraging drug use, and encouraging treatment opportunities.

"What we're trying to do here is to help create an environment that prevents drug use and helps treatment," she said.

"There's a lot of stigma attached to drug treatment. There is a sense that while we in the treatment community look at this as a disease, for the public, looking at someone with an addiction is different then looking at someone with, say, lung cancer."

She continued: "This is not like other diseases where you have the cohort activists, people who come out and talk about their experiences. When people recover from drug addiction, they tend to get quiet about it. They want it to be behind them, so it's harder to get that public support."

While here, Dr. Barthwell presented Camp Spirit programme manager Clayton Scott with an award in honour of his work

"He's the real story," she said. "I'm the has-been in the room. I'm just here to help celebrate."

Dr. Barthwell resigned from her position as deputy drug Czar in 2004 for a possible run for the US Senate against Barack Obama. Alan Keyes was eventually chosen as the Republican candidate.

While she said that she is proud of her achievements in the drug field, she has often been criticised for her stance against both the legalisation and medicinal use of marijuana.

"Those who have worked to legalise drugs have found a fierce enemy in me," she said. "Nobody should be fooled into thinking legalising could solve the problem. Most people who smoke cigarettes start before they're 17. Even when there's an age of access, people get it who shouldn't."

While she is strongly against legislation that would allow medical marijuana, she admitted that she is working as consultant for GW Pharmaceuticals, which is producing Sativex, an oral spray derived from the cannabis plant.

"I am against the medicinal use of parts of the plant, however I am trying to promote research that would allow helpful elements to be removed and administered to patients."

l The war on drugs and the staggering cost to Bermuda – Pages 1, 7 & 8

• How other countries are dealing with the scourge of drugs – Pages 8 & 9