COURT GETS TOUGH WITH COCAINE YOUTH

A 16-year-old youth found in possession of cocaine was given a stern
warning in court about the life-long effects of drugs.

The Pembroke teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was in court
for review having failed three random drug tests earlier this year.

He had been ordered to undergo the tests last year after being charged with
possession of cocaine.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin ordered the boy back to court on July 24 and said
urine tests carried out before then must show negative results for drugs or
the court would get tough.

But he also took the opportunity to warn the teenager about how just one
drug conviction as a youth could lead to many problems in later life for
those wishing to travel to America.

Mr. Chin said drug charges could go on to haunt people until they become
senior citizens, even if they had only ever been in possession of a small
amount of marijuana.

Thats the reality for several thousand men and women in Bermuda, he said.
Many of then support Bermuda in sports in football and cricket. They have
to get letters (from the Police Commissioner) to enable them to go on
football and cricket tours.

And that also goes for education. You have to get a letter to even enter
the United States. Mr. Chin warned that if the teenagers urine was not
drug-free by the end of June, he would be sent to Observatory Cottage
residential centre. He added: If your urine had been clean in February,
April and May, today would have been a breeze. We would have been done. You
are making it difficult for yourself. You know what you need to do. If you
dont do it by July 24, bring your toothbrush with you.