If Government delivers on its promised social agenda, Bermuda will be able to redeem its overseas image, according to top officials.

Premier Alex Scott and Governor Sir John Vereker met earlier this week to discuss concerns about a travel information sheet posted on the US State Department website.

The State Department provides a Consumer Information Sheet giving information and travel details specific to Americans on every single country in the world.

The information on Bermuda mentions the Island's "moderate but growing crime rate", listing increases in violent crimes, the use of date-rape drugs, and the dangers of traffic on Bermuda's roads.

The US Consulate in Bermuda, which provides the information for the Island on the site, reviews the advisory every year to determine if it is still appropriate. The information on Bermuda has not been substantially changed in months.

"We shared with the Governor our very obvious concerns at the fact that the travel advisory expressed views that did not reflect Bermuda in a good light," the Premier said last night.

"However," he continued, "rather than kill the messenger, we asked the Governor if he would have the Police Commissioner review our current commitment to increased Police staffing and to confirm that the increased establishment lines, especially of the Police Support Unit, would be sufficient to address the concerns of lawlessness stated in the advisory.

"The Governor's view was that, in addition to the established levels of the Police service, the initiatives set out by me in our speech to the Rotary would go a long way to achieving the necessary social engineering that will be needed to once again maintain the level of law and good order our visitors have come to expect."

In Mr. Scott's speech to the Hamilton Rotary Club on January 27, he stressed that parents, not governments, raise children. He called on the entire community to pitch in.

He listed social challenges facing Bermuda as: lawlessness, drugs, affordable housing, and protection against the exploitation of children.

Mr. Scott also promised his administration would focus on correction, not punishment. "Even as we say no to crime, we must give people ? especially our young people ? something to say yes to."

He spoke of Community Drug Treatment Services, and said Government was working on the creation of a National Youth Service.

He also promised tourism would be renewed in 2004. "I am optimistic that 2004 will be a better year for tourism and we intend to work hard with both the Minister of Tourism and our industry partners to make it so."

The Governor declined to comment on the issue.