swept up in Bermuda's stringent Drug Free Sports campagin.

And officials are thrilled that the junior competitor -- at the request of his coach -- willingly agreed to undergo testing and subsequent treatment prior to the implementation of the get-tough procedures and penalties phase April 1.

"Actually, we'd like to have more to talk about,'' said Vaughn Mosher, who heads Benedict Associates, the counselling arm of the Bermuda Council for Drug-Free Sports. "But it's a good start. I'm really pleased.'' Citing confidentiality agreements, neither Mosher, nor officials with the Council or the Ministry of Youth and Sports, would identify the player or the sport.

But the individual who came forward has now been drug-free for five months, Mosher confirmed on Tuesday. Officials would not say what drug he tested for apart from that it was non performance-enhancing.

Rather than risk being caught on April 1, when drug users are subject to a one-year ban from all sports upon a first offence, Mosher expects more athletes to follow.

He reiterated that the goal of the policy is "not to catch drug users but to treat them.'' But that hope wasn't fulfilled during another series of drug tests last year.

It has been confirmed that representative(s) from one of eight national teams tested since July failed a dope test before departing for international competition.

Officials would again not reveal who, when or what sport although The Royal Gazette reported in September that two members of the national cricket squad taking part in the Red Stripe Bowl in Jamaica tested positive for an illicit substance just prior to the event.

The players did not travel with the team and it has since been learned that they declined counselling when it was offered.

Mosher said he was not discouraged by their refusal, noting that the penalties phase of the Policy, which would have given the offer more "clout,'' was not yet known.

Given the same set of circumstances, Mosher said he would expect a drug-using player to take advantage of the treatment, which is being underwritten by the National Drugs Commission.

"Otherwise they would be choosing drugs over sports and that's unfortunate,'' he said. "I think the vast majority will stay with sports.'' On April 1, virtually every registered Island sports official or athlete will be subject to random or targeted drug testing. In a symbolic act, the first three individuals to be tested on that date will be Sports Minister Tim Smith and two prominent Ministry officials, Anthony Roberts and Phil Guishard.

Jon Beard, a member of the Council for Drug Free Sports, urged coaches and athletes to work together and come forward before April 1.

"If you want testing, just apply to the Council and that's your job done,'' he told delegates at the Ministry's annual Sports Conference on Saturday. "It won't cost you anything to do it.'' Any team or individual representing Bermuda in overseas competition is currently required to underdo a urinalysis before departing the Island. Since July, eight teams have done so: Swimming, cricket, track and field, golf, triathlon, body building, rugby and cycling.

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