the world map.

The conference, which will be held at the Bermuda College this weekend, is aimed at developing a National Drug Free Sport Policy for the Island.

And a Government spokeswoman said Bermuda will be the first small country to develop such a policy.

"Only 20 other nations in the world, including Australia, New Zealand, France, England, Malaysia, and Denmark, have already adopted a policy on the issue,'' she said.

Some 100 people are expected to attend the conference organised by the Ministry of Youth Development, Sport and Recreation and the National Drug Commission.

The conference, prepared with the assistance of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports (CCES), will focus on: Encouraging governing sport bodies to reach an agreement on a mission statement; Developing policies through small group discussion which can then be consolidated; and Establishing a series of steps to follow and a level of commitment from the governing bodies.

Sports Minister Tim Smith will open the conference at 6 p.m. today. It will run until 9 p.m. and resume on Saturday from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

OPENING SPEECH -- Minister of Youth Development and Sport Tim Smith DRUGS DGS