streets of alleged drugs pushers will have given the public a great deal of reassurance. For a very long time now there have been constant public complaints about very visible drug dealing. Large numbers of the public have questioned what the Police were doing when they could see themselves where drug deals were taking place. The public could easily identify areas where drug dealing was prevalent and they naturally questioned the lack of action.

These are the people who were the targets of Operation Cleansweep.

We understand that 43 people have been identified on film while allegedly conducting drug deals. So far, all 43 have not appeared in court but they will be appearing as they are picked up. Once again we have friendly United States and United Kingdom authorities to thank for a great deal of help.

Premier Pamela Gordon has been quoted as saying: "I said when I became Premier that I would not rest until the scourge of drug abuse, in whatever form, was eliminated from Bermuda.'' We can only hope that she is just getting started.

Operation Cleansweep and the determination of the Police and the Premier are all well and good as far as they go. This has been an operation against the foot soldiers. The next step will have to be just as extensive an assault on the importers, the bigger people who never go near a street corner, do not dirty their hands but arrange the big deals. That will be much harder. None of us should be lulled into thinking that removing the street pushers is anything close to the end of the drug menace. Other people will appear in other places.

Operation Cleansweep does put people on warning that the Police and the Government mean business and it will frighten off sales to visitors but it is likely only to push drug sales underground and it is bound to increase the price of drugs. Higher prices could lead addicts into further crime in order to pay higher prices and the public should be aware of that fact.

This must become a two pronged offensive. Bermuda should very quickly launch a promotion of rehabilitation for drug abusers. There are doubtless people today who are without their supply of drugs and might well be susceptible to rehabilitation. This is particularly true of abusers of cocaine, crack and heroin. We think the National Drugs Commission should step in and actively promote rehabilitation.

The only real way to rid Bermuda of drugs is to continue to prevent importation and sales while working to curtail the demand. Curtailing demand is the key. As long as there is demand, some people will take the risks of supplying that demand especially since the huge profits are so enticing.