probe the possibility of setting up a drugs court in Bermuda.

Dr. Derrick Binns of the National Drug Commission said a five-member team will fly into Bermuda on Wednesday to conduct a final study into a local drug court.

"The visit will be the final one before they do a report which will be submitted to us,'' Dr. Binns explained. "This trip will pull together any holes stemming from their first two visits and they will focus on the treatment aspect of the programme.

"A major component of the drugs court will be to have a treatment programme available to those who come before the court.'' He added that the American University team will also further examine the Bermudian Police and judicial structure during their stay.

The upcoming visit will be the third by the university team. In November of last year Judge John Parham conducted preliminary work for the project and addressed the Hamilton Rotarians on the feasibility of a drugs court in Bermuda.

Judge Parham said a drugs court was a worthy vehicle and should be supported because it would save Bermuda money and harm in the long run.

He also said a drugs court was an important building block in the fight against crime.

Dr. Binns said a second American University team visited Bermuda in December in a bid to understand the local legal process -- from arrest through to a defendant's appearance and trial in court.

free to begin his by-election campaign because of the PLP's centralised candidate selection methods.

And it is believed the Premier will want to allow enough time for Mr. Pitman and Mr. Furbert to get their by-election battlewagons rolling at full speed.

Mr. Soares was ruled ineligible after it was reported in The Royal Gazette that he did not fit in around the UBP's rules on length of party membership and qualification for primaries.

COURTS CTS