A group established to raise awareness of the menace of drugs in Bermuda is calling on the Premier to take a firm stand on drugs and violence in light of a recent spike in violent robberies.

The Premier must lead by example and take a zero tolerance approach to violent crime, said the founders of Bermudians Against Narcotics (BAN) yesterday. Takbir Sharrieff and Clinton Muhammad said the Bermuda lifestyle as it was once known no longer exists, criminality is rampant and drugs are at the core of it.

Mr. Sharrieff and Mr. Muhammad founded BAN a little over a year and a half ago to raise awareness about of drug abuse and spoke out last night on the rise in violent crimes happening in Bermuda. They feel there needs to be a concerted effort to establish a Drug Agency like in other countries to stem the rise in crime, which they attribute to drugs and a lack of Police presence.

Mr. Sharrieff said: ?I was in the Police force from 1963 to 1972 and I left as a Sergeant.

?I have seen a steady increase in violence and violent crimes associated with the use of hard drugs, the need to finance the drugs for profit or personal use and the level of desperation to which a person will resort with violence to pay off debts.?

Mr. Muhammad said: ?Our main concern is that we want the Police presence back and we want it back now.

?We have noticed a difference. It is obvious that the effort has totally diminished. Why has concern for the community in this area diminished??

Efforts to contact the Government were unsuccessful as of press time.

BAN?s comments come after the 12th violent robbery as reported by in 2006 happened when a security guard at Rockaway Ferry Terminal was attacked on Monday evening.

The attack involved a knife as have five other robberies while an additional six involved physical assaults.

BAN believes that all of these robberies and most of the crimes in the community, violent or otherwise, are a result of drugs.

Mr. Sharrieff says the reason is because the subject of drugs is not handled properly by authorities who are being paid by taxpayers.

?There is use and abuse and drug connections in a very large number of Bermuda families, some very prominent Bermudian families,? he said.

?So they are taking a low profile on handling this problem.?

Mr. Muhammad added: ?We believe that the Government should come out and make a statement of zero tolerance.

?The Premier needs to make a blanket statement for his Government that his Cabinet will not stand with dealing of drugs in this community and will deal with any drug dealers strongly.

?We need to be concerned with children, our elderly, guests that visit our community and us.?

A task-specific agency is needed, added Mr. Sharrieff. ?It should not just be one aspect of the Social Rehabilitation Ministry,? he added. ?Social Rehabilitation can deal with the effect of drugs on families but drug dealers need a ministry.?

BAN as well as Crimestoppers, which allows members of the public to report crimes anonymously, said that recent incidents made it more vital than ever for witnesses and others with information to come forward.

?An increase in crime is cause for concern and even more reason for citizens to co-operate with Police,? said chairman of Crimestoppers Sean Pitcher.

?They would be making their community and themselves safer.?

BAN feels that an example for the community can also be set by the Premier and his Cabinet.

?We want the present and any Government to lead by example and if that means drug testing then yes, that is a way to start, Mr. Muhammad said.

?There is no way to get around the question if they all get tested.

?We can?t get rid of all of the drugs on the island, but we can make it better.?