current firefighters and new recruits.

Chief Gary Renaud made the announcement at a meeting on Tuesday organised by the St. George's Action Group -- a newly-formed community group to fight drug abuse.

"The St. George's Fire Brigade will commit itself to mandatory testing for substance abuse, provided we can work out the details,'' Mr. Renaud said at the Penno's Wharf passenger terminal.

The move was unanimously approved at a meeting of the volunteer fire department two weeks ago, he said. The firefighters wanted to serve as an example.

At the Bermuda Fire Service, Chief Fire Officer Reg Rawlins said there was no mandatory drug testing, but "we have a programme...which identifies any problems we may have.'' Mr. Rawlins said Mr. Renaud's announcement represented "a very progressive step,'' but he felt the current BFS programme was working well.

"It's a very sensitive area,'' he said yesterday. "The nature of the job dictates that we take certain steps to make sure all of our personnel is able to do the job and are of a state of mind to do the job.

"We do what we have to do.'' SOARES CHEERED BY HOSPITAL CHANGES HOS Soares cheered by hospital changes Health Minister Harry Soares yesterday officially opened a new hospital ward designed to help the mentally ill.

Through a $500,000 refurbishment, the old Adam's ward at St. Brendan's has been upgraded and turned into a secure six-bed ward and renamed the Somers Annex.

The ward will be used for treating the acutely ill who are in a disturbed state and need to be protected from themselves and the community.

"They are quite ill and may not be aware of what they are doing. We can care for them in a secure environment,'' said Mrs. Joan Dillas Wright, director of programmes and support services at St. Brendan's.

Before cutting the ribbon, officially opening the ward, Mr. Soares said that in 1984 when he was on the Hospitals Board he "felt sad''. But things had changed for the better. "A lot has been taking place down here. I am no longer sad and right now I am proud and happy,'' he said.

CYCLE LIVERY BIDS TO IMPROVE SAFETY BUC Cycle livery bids to improve safety A cycle livery has launched a bid to improve road safety using a hi-tech video display.

Now renters of mopeds and scooters from Wheels Cycles will be shown safety tips on screen before they venture out on the roads.

The firm's president, Mr. David Panchaud, said: "The reaction so far has been very positive. Visitors appreciate they need to watch it for their safety and they appreciate it only takes five minutes.'' Mr. Panchaud added that visitors would still have to take a test ride and would continue to receive personal instruction.

But he said: "This is just another way through which we are seeking to improve road safety.'' The special video shows -- produced with help from the Police and the Road Safety Council -- are located at Wheels' Hamilton outlet on Dundonald Street, Marriot's Castle Harbour Hotel and the Southampton Princess.

DOCTOR CHARGED WITH ASSAULT CTS Doctor charged with assault Paul De La Chevotiere, a prominent Hamilton doctor and former United Bermuda Party MP, is to stand trial in March for assault and using threatening behaviour.

De La Chevotiere, 66, was yesterday charged by Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis with unlawfully assaulting Shannon DeShields in the car park of the Elliott School in Devonshire and displaying threatening behaviour before the alleged assault.

A former UBP MP for Hamilton West and one-time member of the Legislative Council, the doctor was subsequently released on his own recognisance and ordered to stand trial on March 6.

He was represented yesterday by lawyer Mr. Juan Wolffe.