Many Bermudian families have fallen victim to the scourge of illegal drugs, and despite various programmes aimed at providing guidance, and education, on the dangers of getting involved, there are new victims every day, and this creates a chain reaction of people who are not only a threat to themselves, but to the entire community.

The demand for hard deadly drugs such as heroin, and cocaine, continues to take a heavy toll in the United States, to a degree where victims have included some of the biggest names in the entertainment business, not to mention others from all walks of life. Getting involved has reduced many to walking zombies, living only for the purpose of the next high. Making matters even worse is that there are countless reports of addicts seeking an even greater high by mixing various substances often with lethal results. The real danger is that any society is under threat, when people lurking in the shadows, are willing to do anything to feed a habit that has obsessed them. Getting involved may seem harmless, but once hooked, addicts tell of a nightmare world, where the only thing that matters is the next high.

Recently in the United States a number of people in large cities have died after using heroin mixed with another substance, and despite the danger, dealers continue to rake in millions mainly because the demand remains high. A CNN reporter gained a first hand look at the situation when she was taken on a tour of an area by an armed official, and witnessed a number of drug transactions.

She wondered why the police were not swooping in to make arrests, until the official told her they were more concerned about the operators behind the scenes who call the shots. He said they make millions, while those who sell it on the streets make a few hundred dollars. It is that way in many parts of the world, where illegal hard drugs have penetrated so many areas of life.

Here in Bermuda just about everyone knows there is an illegal drug problem, but because our population is so small, many are reluctant to discuss a subject that has touched practically every family. Not discussing it will not cause it to fade. In fact we maybe digging a deeper hole by pretending it is not all that important.

Police recently issued a warning about an upsurge in house breaking in our communities, and most of the time it is not related to the current economic situation, but can be traced to illegal drug habits that can be costly on a daily basis.

It is a situation that places every Bermudian family in a precarious position where safety is a major concern.

Bermuda is currently grappling with a number of highly sensitive issues involving our financial infrastructure, but if we take our eye of the ball when it comes to the devastating effects of hard drugs, we could wake up to find that the very core purpose of a healthy society, has been eaten away and the real problem would be seeking ways to recover.

Equally worrying is that most hard drugs that circulate in the United States end up in the shadows of the underworld market in Bermuda. When there is big money to be made because of demand, no one is concerned about values, or whether something is right or wrong. Remember the only thing the underworld values is money.

Every Bermudian who really cares about what type of Bermuda the next generation will find should be aware that what we do today about various problems, will be shaping that new Bermuda one way or the other.

It is a great responsibility at a time when so many traditional values have been tossed under the bus, as new modern day concepts gain popularity.

No voice should be silent on matters that could determine whether Bermuda is moving in a direction, that will make our communities stronger and safe. Elements left in the shadows could undermine efforts to build the Bermuda we want to be proud of.