HEAVY OPPOSITION STALLS BID TO DECLASSIFY CANNABIS

National Drug Control Minister Wayne Perinchief has been defeated in
his bid to downgrade cannabis offences.

He had hoped to win Cabinet approval for a law change which would see
small-scale first-time cannabis users dealt with outside the courts
and helped to rehabilitate.

However, he told The Royal Gazette: "It's become a controversial
issue because some people correlate reclassification with
decriminalisation. That's not true.

"It was always to be an arrestable offence, however, instead of
getting a punitive sentence you will get a rehabilitative sentence
for certain classes of drugs."

He had floated the plan in April but has now had to re-think in light
of strong opposition.

"At this stage it isn't being considered because there is a lot of resistance."

Asked if the opposition was at the Cabinet level, he said: "There was
global resistance. I am disappointed."

The reclassification approach has been taken in the UK and some of
the Caribbean Islands as authorities concentrate efforts on the
scourge of hard drugs.

Mr. Perinchief had hoped the move would reduce the numbers of young
black males being put on the US immigration stop list and denied
educational and work opportunities due to minor convictions. However,
he now hopes to use current laws to bring about the same goal by
encouraging courts to take a different line.

"The legislation is already in place right now - magistrates have the
discretion to do it or not," said Mr. Perinchief.

"I will deal with it a different way - through alternatives to incarceration.

"I will try to do more collaboration between the judiciary and this
ministry and the departments of Health and Public Safety." He said
small-scale drug use should be considered a health problem to help
reduce some of the stigma discouraging addicts trying to recover.

The Minister hopes Bermuda's widespread drug problem can be targeted
through random testing in the workplace and he hopes to have Police,
Customs, the civil service and Prison officers all signed up to
random testing by the end of the year.

Already bus drivers and Marine and Ports staff are subject to the
tests. Those caught will be given help to kick their habit rather
than fired, although Mr. Perinchief said recreational users are a big
part of Bermuda's drug problem. He took heart from the way tobacco
use was driven out of the workplace, helping bring about a cultural
change which almost makes smoking taboo. "Ninety percent of smokers
butted out."

September has been designated National Alcohol and Drug Recovery
Month in Bermuda. National Drug Control Minister Wayne Perinchief
hopes it increases awareness of alcohol and drug recovery issues.

"We want to show how society benefits by offering treatment options
for alcohol and drug use disorders," the Minister said.

"We also believe it's important to highlight the excellent
contributions and services offered by the drug and alcohol treatment
providers in our community. "And, we want to promote the message that
recovery is possible - no matter what the alcohol or drug use disorder."

The month will promote access to recovery and to celebrate those who
are in treatment.