One of the Island's most innovative crime busters has come up with a revolutionary new way of fighting crime -- send drug dealers back to school.

Insurance accountant Eugene Carmichael believes that some drug dealers have the right business acumen and talent to become business leaders of the future.

And he thinks that the community will be better served if some dealers were given the option of going to Bermuda College rather spending time at Westgate.

Mr. Carmichael, who set up the first Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Southampton in 1983 and has come into contact with many criminals, said: "When people go to Westgate they are going to college but it's the wrong sort of college -- they are learning the wrong things.

"These are not faceless people -- they are not monsters -- we all know them.

They are someone's son, brother, cousin.

"In the midst of all these people committing these crimes you will find some very good raw material as private businessmen. They have set up tremendous networks and are running a brilliant business -- they are simply misguided.

"If a person has that degree of talent they could get a job with an exempted company. They can be given a choice -- three years at Westgate or three years at Bermuda College. That would give them a start, it's a chance, it's trying to turn around that good raw talent, it's being a bit more creative. It's a way of trying to salvage some of those business leaders of the future.

"There would be a cost involved but then it costs the Government to send somebody to Westgate. I would much rather see my tax dollar being used for something constructive.'' Mr. Carmichael recounted a conversation he had with one young drug dealer.

"He had a good job and a young family and I asked him why he was doing this because he had so much to lose. And he said: `How else do you expect me to make a down payment on a house?' "What I am saying is that not everyone is a monster. People are driven for various reasons.

"This isn't an outrageous suggestion. I'm not being soft. What we would say is that, if you are given the chance of going to college you must be a model student. You will attend lessons and you will pass your exams. Teachers could be in touch with magistrates and, the minute things go wrong, their prison term will start -- they are only on probation while they are at school.'' Mr. Carmichael said he had spoken to various Government Ministers about the proposal and had received a positive response.

Last month Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess also agreed that the prison service was failing some criminals and that alternatives were being sought.

Government is now looking at setting up a boot camp style correctional facility where convicts are taught life skills rather than go to prison.

Last night Mr. Burgess was not available to comment on the proposal.