their stop list because they cannot force doctors to sign statements.

The National Drug Commission stopped recommending US rehabilitation centres to patients two months ago when they heard the list had been extended to include drug users.

The list previously included people with drug convictions only.

But the medical loophole means addicts normally banned from travelling to the US may still be allowed in as visitors.

Patrick Moore, Port Director of US Immigration in Bermuda, said drug users hoping to emigrate would still be kept out because detailed medical forms would have to be completed by GPs.

But he said American officials had no power to force visitors to provide medical certificates.

Mr. Moore told The Royal Gazette : "There is a lot of confusion about this issue and the wording of the immigration laws was actually changed three years ago to include drug abusers.

"But only a physician can determine something like that about an individual.

"Therefore, this section of the law is very unlikely to affect many people.

"It would be much more likely to affect somebody trying to emigrate to the States than someone going as a visitor.'' Mr. Moore said he had already told the National Drug Commission that referrals to US rehabilitation clinics could now be done on a "case by case'' basis.

He added: "I don't really know what all the fuss is about.

"Obviously if someone has a drug conviction that is a different matter but this section of the law should not affect too many people.'' Opposition Senate Leader Milton Scott on Wednesday warned the Senate that American agents could be operating across the Island to add drug addicts to the stop list.

But Mr. Moore said: "We don't keep records like that on these people. We need verification from a physician.'' The NDC's Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr. Derrick Binns said he had received "some reassurances'' from immigration officials in the last few days.

He said: "We are now explaining the situation to the Island's drugs agencies and telling them that, if they want to refer patients to America, the door is still open.'' Earlier this week, Dr. Binns told The Royal Gazette that more than 5,000 Bermudians could now be included on the stop list.

Dr. Binns said yesterday: "We now have no way of being exactly sure how many people are on the list. We've heard two figures -- 2,000, which was the last official number and 5,000, which was the latest estimate.'' The Bermuda Medical Association said doctors would always provide medical forms if they were required to by law.

But President Dr. Elisabeth Mayall said doctors always respected patient confidentiality and would only provide documentation if ordered.

DRUGS DGS