entering the community so far this year.

And although this figure was twice the amount seized during the same period last year, Insp. Roseanda Jones said it probably only represented about a tenth of the amount of drugs in circulation.

"So many adults in the community benefit from drugs,'' said the deputy chief of the Police drugs squad. "It's a very, very, sad situation.'' More than 100 people have been arrested for drug related offences since December last year.

And National Drug Commission Chief Executive Officer Derek Binns said many young people are falling prey to the financial and physiological lure of both illegal and legal drugs.

Both Dr. Binns and Insp. Jones, two leaders at the forefront of Bermuda's war against drugs, spoke yesterday at the Council Partners Charitable Trust Advisory Board Meeting at the Hamilton Princess.

Dr. Binns told the approximately 100 attendees the problem of drug abuse in Bermuda was exacerbated by a lack of statistical data.

Policy decisions based on anecdotal evidence alone could not effectively prepare people to counter the spread of drugs, he said.

Instead, Dr. Binns pointed out, recently collated data from a 1995 adult population survey and high school surveys from 1983, 1987, 1991 and 1994 could clearly establish the nature and extent of Bermuda's drug problem.

He admitted that because the surveys relied upon self reporting, some inaccuracy was inevitable.

But he maintained that the patterns and trends revealed in cigarette, alcohol, cocaine and marijuana use could be instrumental for those involved in drug treatment and prevention.

Among students, 72 percent have tried alcohol at least once. But the use dropped from just over half of the population in 1991 to 30 percent in 1994.

The surveys showed alcohol remains the most popular drug generally. Ninety percent of adults have tried it at least once in their lifetime and 60 percent remain regular users.

Regular marijuana use among young people showed an increase from ten percent in 1991 to 15 percent in 1994.

And some 40 percent of adults have tried marijuana at least once and there are an estimated 4,800 people who continue to use it every month.

Dr. Binns said students claimed curiosity and alienation (feelings of anxiety, boredom or depression) were the main reasons for trying the drug.

In contrast, students who chose not to use marijuana had other interests or were concerned about their health.

Dr. Binns pointed out that the results showed the fear of being caught by parents or the authorities was a relatively minor deterrent among students.

Drugs money a powerful lure Insp. Jones said she was not surprised to learn children did not fear discovery. She said the value of drugs in Bermuda and the promise of financial gain was the "single most powerful persuasion''.

One pound of cannabis bought in the US for $200 could be sold locally for up to $22,500, she explained.

And one ounce of cocaine bought in the US for $2,000 to $4,000 could yield $8,250 for unscrupulous entrepreneurs.

"Young kids know this,'' she said. "I'm telling you things they already know.'' Following the success of the Police and US Drug Enforcement Agency's drug sting, Operation Cleansweep, Insp. Jones said Police had set up a Task Force to "deal with the reactive initiatives to continue with street level dealers''.

They have also refocused the Narcotics Department to deal with "proactive initiatives''.

And Police have prepared a revised drug strategy to look at ways to improve enforcement, reduce demand, and educate the public, she added.

"There is a lot that can be done, and there is a lot still to be done,'' said Insp. Jones.

"It may seem an immense task, but we can beat it if we work together.''