The House of Assembly should concentrate on beating drugs and crime and boosting tourism.

That was the message yesterday after The Royal Gazette canvassed public opinion on their fears and hopes for the future.

And they sent a clear signal to the Government only days before the new session of Parliament.

Gardener Dwayne S. Caines, 34, of Southampton, said: "They've got to do something about crime and drug dealing.'' He added: "Government will also have to rethink tourism -- if Cuba opens up, we'll be in deep trouble.

"Bermuda depends very heavily on tourism. I spoke to someone from the States who said Bermuda was too expensive. He said it'd be cheaper to go somewhere else -- and he'd get better service.'' Terrilyn Moniz, 24, a secretary from Devonshire, said cracking down on drugs, crimes of violence and rape should be a top priority.

She added: "It seems every day you read about some violent crime or sexual assault. And crime and drugs are linked. The two go together.'' Sales clerk Marcia Zuill, 21, of Warwick, agreed violence and drugs are the Island's biggest problems.

She said:: "There's been a big increase in the use of knives and even guns. I think there should be more programmes to give people help, which would assist in cutting down on drugs and the violence that goes with them.'' Ron Bradley, 42, a Scot who has worked for the Bank of Bermuda for four years and who lives in Pembroke, said he had noticed a marked increase in drugs and drug-related crime in the last year.

He said: "It's been incredible. When I first came here people didn't get assaulted in the town centre like they do now. I really worry about walking about at night these days -- some friends of mine have been mugged.

"A few years ago, you didn't think twice about using an ATM at night. I think the Government have been far to lenient. They should really crack down on drugs, which causes a lot of the crime.'' Sharon Cranfield, a South African who is a representative for a paint company based in Hamilton, said that tourists were put off by high prices and poor service.

Ms Cranfield, who lives in Somerset, said: "People who live in Bermuda take it for granted that things are expensive -- but you don't get value for money.

I think a lot of tourists don't come here because it's too expensive.'' Southampton man Jonathan Kemp, 23, a trainee tailor, said: "There is definitely a growing drugs problem -- the Government should crack down more on drug-related things.

"The Police force is quite large, but where are they? They should have a strong presence on the street, but they're too busy pulling people over for traffic offences.'' Liz Counsell, 50, from Somerset, summed up: "Drugs and violence -- there's nothing else. It's becoming a major concern. I work with a lot of women and they're scared to go home at night. Crime is going to ruin this country.'' Irishman Steven Given, 27, of Paget, is an accountant with a reinsurance firm in Hamilton and has spent more than three years in Bermuda.

He said: "Tourism is the number one thing Bermuda should be addressing. One simple solution which would improve things is banning mandatory tipping.

Making it discretionary improves services and cuts prices.

"The other thing is crime and the drugs situation, but I believe that is now being properly addressed by the Government and the new Commissioner of Police.

Ron Bradley Liz Counsell Marcia Zuill