Premier Ewart Brown

Premier Ewart Brown last night said action against drug dealers in Bermuda will soon get so tough people may think it will infringe their human rights.

The Premier told a group of about 50 young people Government was aiming to bring an end to gang violence which has plagued the Island and led to the recent stabbing death of 18-year-old Kellon Hill.

Speaking in a question-and-answer session at Camden House, Dr. Brown said gang trouble was fuelled by drugs and warned:"On our watch, the drug dealers ought to pay attention.

"We are going to take steps that are going to be significant in Bermuda. Some of you may even believe those steps are too draconian.

"You might start talking about human rights for drug dealers."

The Premier did not reveal specific details of the crackdown, but did say:"The time has come for us to be creative.

"We have to do what we have to do; work on both ends of the problem."

There has to be something so that people understand the consequences of trying to destroy society for other people."[

Dr. Brown revealed other attempts to keep youths out of trouble included plans for a major facility for basketball and other activities at PHC in Warwick.

He said:"Government andPHC have reached an agreement that's going to result in the long-run in a massive complex that will involve automatic membership for the students in Paget, Warwick and Southampton. There will be basketball courts and all of that will be there."

The young people, aged between 18 and 35, were invited to share their own ideas, which the Premier said he would take with him to Cabinet.

One man called for Cup Match to focus more on remembering Emancipation instead of being dominated by the drive to make profit through sponsorship.

"If we are telling our young people that international business can come here and buy our emancipation holiday, what is that telling them?" he asked.

One woman said stricter rules should be in place to prevent youngsters going to school with braids in their hair, wearing jewellery and having their shirts hanging out.

Another said it was important to target anti-social behaviour from children at primary school age.

Other suggestions included block parish events to restore the old community spirit; investing in arts programmes; and setting up social clubs at the old workingmen's clubs.

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