Island where the baseball bat is a weapon of choice and disrespect for authority is now normal. The telling fact is that this increase in violence is largely domestic.

We think that in the great majority of these incidents, drugs or alcohol play a significant part. In today's world, domestic violence is more often than not fuelled by drugs and alcohol, or both. You only have to read reports of Magistrates' Court cases to know how many people try to use alcohol or drug abuse as an excuse for their violence. "Not me, the rum did it'', is a standard excuse.

There are very few people roaming the streets with baseball bats endangering strangers. Baseball bats are being used in incidents involving enforcement of illegal drug deals or they are being used in the home. As Commissioner Edwards said, "This place is still a relatively peaceful and safe place.'' This points out to us the need for Bermuda to get moving with the National Drugs Strategy and to stop pushing alcohol. Before we are accused again of being prohibitionists, we do not mean that Bermuda should stop selling alcohol but we do mean that Bermuda should stop pushing it -- especially to the young -- and begin dispensing it with a social conscience instead.

We are concerned that recession budget cuts may involve curtailing the activities of the National Drugs Strategy Team and Bermuda cannot afford that.

Since it is clear alcohol and drug use lead to violent crime, it would be foolish not to do everything we can to protect Bermuda and Bermudians.

Solutions are difficult and involve the long process of moving the public away from demanding drugs and alcohol. It will not be quick and it will not be easy but we must begin with a reasonable chance of success.

The Commissioner of Police stated that the amount of heroin seized in the first nine months of the year was down but cocaine and cannabis seizures were up. That may be something of a misrepresentation, because there are indications in the United States that snorted heroin usage is increasing because of ready availability and price. Bermuda's usage is generally not that different from the US.

The one thing the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Lennett Edwards, points out most forcefully is that crimes of violence are growing. Crimes against the person are up by just about 25 percent. If we do not combat the problems now they will continue to grow until they swamp us.

It is generally accepted that when people are under financial pressure they tend to seek relief in drugs and alcohol. It would be short-sighted if we used the very financial problems which contribute to the problem as an excuse not to move against the problem.