Political hopeful Ashfield DeVent yesterday stressed that he was not calling for the legalisation of marijuana.

"I just want to reiterate that it's not my platform. It was just in response to questions that I was asked. And I want to reconfirm that I've actually called for the possible decriminalisation and not legalisation. There's a distinct difference."

And he candidly acknowledged having experimented with cannabis a "number of years ago".

The ruling party's candidate for the Pembroke East Central by-election on November 26 is, however, working hard against the scourge of drug abuse in the community.

The Royal Gazette caught up with him yesterday at a meeting of the volunteer based St. Monica's Action Group which has for years been battling to rejuvenate their neighbourhood.

"I have had brothers, in-laws, I have had quite a few cousins die from the AIDS virus through drug use. Drugs have affected my personal life terribly."

Asked if he himself had done any drugs, he said: "Yes I've experimented. I guess we all drink alcohol, I smoked cigarettes a couple of times and I used to smoke cannabis which I no longer do."

Concern for his health led him to stop smoking altogether, he said when asked why he had smoked smoking.

"I had two people very close to me die recently from lung and throat cancer from cigarette smoking..." Asked whether he thought cannabis could have the same harmful effects he replied: "Probably I'm not sure, I've just rethought smoking, period. I just think smoking is not good for the body. Plus I have responsibilities and I can't afford it - it's an expensive habit."

Mr. DeVent, who has publicly called for the decriminalisation of marijuana, urged Leonard Santucci, one of his opponents in the upcoming poll to get his facts straight. Rev Santucci, a candidate for the United Bermuda Party had responded to Mr. DeVent's statements by saying he was "deeply concerned" about the call to legalise marijuana.

"It will still be illegal," said Mr. DeVent. "But just like in other countries, possession of a small amount will not lead to a criminal conviction. And I would hope that people seeking to be a legislator will clearly understand it. It's a clear distinction. I never said it should be legalised."

He said he "definitely" agreed with Rev Santucci's comments that drug use led to a "downward spiral".

"We are seeing an increase of drug use with people between the ages of 25 and 45, which I consider the backbone or the pillars of the community. Because those are the majority of the workers and those are the people that should be looking after their children and their parents. And if we get a big enough number of those people failing to maintain their responsibilities because of substance abuse then the whole community is going to pay for it."