urged his corporate colleagues to make a real contribution to the "war on drugs'' by implementing drug and alcohol policies in the workplace.

Mr. Madeiros used the forum of a quarterly letter to the utility's shareholders to declare: "Supporting education, prevention and drug treatment programmes is, of course, important, but war requires action. Throughout the island, businesses need to set a standard which clearly establishes all workplaces as drug free zones.

Power protection programme launched "Drug and alcohol policies, requiring employees to be drug and alcohol free while on the job, enhance prospects for improved productivity, customer service, safety and security of the employers' premises.'' The Belco policy was put in place in 1994 and Mr. Madeiros said that while policies should be tailored to an individual company's need, and random drug testing may not be necessary for the policies to be effective.

He counselled, "A significant first step is establishing a policy which clearly defines a company's position on the use of drugs and alcohol, establishes pre-employment testing, testing for cause, and encourages prevention and treatment. "Random drug testing should only be implemented following considerable consultation within your organisation to ensure confidentiality and to safeguard the objective of the policy.

"We encourage all Bermuda businesses to commit to taking an active role in this "war.'' Meanwhile, the letter also stated that Belco Energy Services Company Limited (Besco) has conducted 21 energy audits that have pointed out average energy savings of some 25 percent.

The company has already improved energy efficiency and the quality of the lighting at Mount Saint Agnes Academy and intend to market the service to commercial and residential customers.

Fidelity Investments is another such customer and Besco is completing a large project with Harrington Hundreds Supermarket.

The grocery will eventually boast a standby generator, protecting the store against lengthy storm outages. Besco is also overseeing the installation there of energy efficient lighting and high efficiency motors for the store's air handling equipment.

Yesterday, Besco launched its power protection programme, offering warranted protection against power surge and lightning damage to sensitive electronic equipment, such as stereos and televisions.

The new service includes a Besco commitment to repair or replace equipment free of charge, if the special units, which are available for rent, fails to protect merchandise.

Belco's total kilowatt sales for the first eight months were marginally higher, up 0.35 percent when compared with the same period of 1995, led by a 3.66 percent rise in the residential sector.

Large demand sales were also marginally up 0.87. The increases were attributed to higher temperatures throughout the period, helping to offset the 67.61 percent decrease in sales to the US Navy Base, which contributed to energy demand last year.

Bermuda Gas & Utility Company Limited is reporting a 7.3 percent increase in overall sales for the eight month period. Appliance sales are up 12.8 percent and gas sales are up 6.3 percent.

DRUGS DGS