Drugs tsar

Is the creation of the new National Drug Control Ministry a good idea?

While details of the new Ministry will not be revealed until tomorrow’s Throne Speech, appointee Wayne Perinchief described its responsibilities as implementing policy on how the police and courts deal with drugs and drug offenders, and coordinating between the different groups.

It’s refreshing to see the Premier trying out some new ideas. Other jurisdictions have their “drugs tsars” and it may be no bad thing for Bermuda to have one too. If it works, we’ll likely forgive Mr. Scott for expanding the size of Cabinet after pledging to reduce it, and for any aspect of self-preservation the move may have.

Comments

[Uncle Elvis on 05.11.05 at 15:28]

Exactly. And, with the increase in monies coming in in the form of taxes, the Government could EASILY support a FLEET of counselling services.

[Denis on 05.11.05 at 16:56]

SmokingGun,

Your right, I had intented to write alcohol as legal and not illegal. Thanks for pointing that out. I should have given my post a reread for typos as now going over it I'm noticing a number of them.

Too bad I can't edit it, hope my point still gets accross.

I also am hoping we see positive things come out of this new drug commission. I'm glad to see government doing something to address the issue, I just hope that they weigh all factors and come up with a solution that will best benefit our island.

I'd hate to see the negative implications of an even more strict policy. Arresting tourists for a half a gram of marijuana seems like an incredible waste of resources and only serves to hurt our Tourism product rather then help it.

Let alone the implications of the ruined future for a Bermudian who gets a criminal record. Which is incredibly damaging to young Bermudians ignorant of the risks. Imagine a young Bermudian being caught smoking a joint? They are subsequently arrested, labeled as a criminal and no longer allowed to enter countries abroad like the US. From that moment on they are effectively crippled from ever contributing to our economy and only more likely to label themselves as a lost cause and turn to harsher drugs and ultimately crime.

This is what we need to be working hard to prevent if we want to see a long term benefit from this initiative rather then just a quick fix.

[SmokingGun on 05.11.05 at 17:26]

Denis,

You are right again. Until the laws are re-wriiten then we do need to get the word out that if a crime is committed then there will often be severe consequences. I am quite familiar with the issue of travel to the US and I cannot stress enough that it's too easy to screw up one's life over a simple mistake.

[Denis on 05.11.05 at 17:35]

SmokingGun,

I will do you one further and point out another negative stigma that only makes things worse for us.

Look at our local sports clubs and organizations. When you go to sign up for a sport on the island, you are required to submit to random drug testing.

Any young Bermudian who likes to occasionally smoke a joint (I doubt many would disagree with me that there are those out there on the island that do) is forced to choose between sports or marijuana. If the youth chooses marijuana or had previously smoked it, we are specifically limiting their ability to find alternative means of making the most of their time. We effectively tell them that if you've done it, you can forget having a life outside of drugs and thus they just turn to it more. With this we only deepen their downward spiral and close more doors to them.

It would be ignorant to assume that every individual is educated on the risks and implications of drug use and abuse. We need to do more to educate people on the true risks and not rely on propoganda and scare tactics that don't work.

[SmokingGun on 05.11.05 at 17:53]

Interesting point. Is that at amateur level or international level only?

[Denis on 05.11.05 at 18:21]

Amateur...

[Its Illegal on 05.11.05 at 19:02]

Denis,

"...If the youth chooses marijuana or had previously smoked it, we are specifically limiting their ability to find alternative means of making the most of their time."

WE? Are THEY not responsible for that? Lets use that argument for something else thats illegal.... say.... speeding, or stealing.

"It would be ignorant to assume that every individual is educated on the risks and implications of drug use and abuse."

Its ignorant to assume that they do not know that it is ILLEGAL in the first place, as they cannot just go to the market place to get it. I would venture to say that along with that knowledge comes the awareness of the consequences of getting caught. Rather than giving them more reasons why you think they should be allowed to partake in this activity (that is what you are doing!) you could perhaps encourage the alternative "join a sports team" option that you seem to think WE are driving them away from.

[SmokingGun on 05.11.05 at 19:41]

Denis, I am a little surprised that at amateur levels there is such a strict ruling but that's obviously something the teams themselves have condoned.

It's Illegal is absolutely correct in that people have got to be accountable for knowing the laws and cannot get by with the old "I didn't know" excuse. The reality is if others can join teams and live by the rules then so can't anyone if it really means that much to them. All the more reason why team sports are so important at an early age.

[blovator on 05.11.05 at 20:16]

Its Illegal and Smokinggun

Well Well, I had no idea sports were such den of abstemiousness. All these stories I hear about sport and alchohol must be heresay. What preposterous nonsense! So one must pick one's drug before one plays a sport? If you want to play soccer, you better be a drinker because pot smokers aren't allowed.

Have you ever been to a Rugby tornament? THe purpose of watching rugby seems to be to get women drunk enough to go home with you. Is that safe? Indescrimate sex and no-limits drinking? But you're right - It is legal.

Yes pot is illegal. Its one of stupidest laws we have.

[Slowhand on 05.11.05 at 20:23]

"Yes pot is illegal. Its one of stupidest laws we have."
Whether you agree with that or not, anybody that gets caught because of it is equally stupid.

[ace on 05.11.05 at 20:40]

Laws change. What is legal one day can be made illegal the next, and visa versa.

No-one is dispuiting that it is illegal. They are questioning whether that law should be changed.

[blovator on 05.11.05 at 20:45]

And whether we should test sports people - we shouldn't. It's hypocritical.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 05.11.05 at 20:48]

Heah when I used to play aginst the Devonshire Cougars in the seventies...They were Bermuda's Rasta team.They played with calmness and skill...maybe it was the spliff at half-time that made the difference.

[blovator on 05.11.05 at 20:58]

at my college the soccer team always played stoned untill they had an undefeated season. Then they got jerseys and attitude and ... a pot prohibition. They were never very good again.

[Slowhand on 05.11.05 at 21:02]

Ace

And there is a way to go about that. Realistically, we here in Bermuda could no more change our laws to legalise MJ than we could reintroduce the death penalty. Decriminalizing will not save you from the black list either.

What IS happening is that these young men are being taught by their peers, that smoking is ok, because these 'studies' say it is, so they continue with their civil disobediance or personal crusade against the man, to their own detriment!

[blovator on 05.11.05 at 21:17]

So legalize it so that you can have a open discussion and open public explanation of the dangers.

We need a broad civics program, a broad program in citizenship (including money management, domestic skills, social behavior ect ) and we need a program in understanding the effects dangers AND pleasures of drugs from coffee to alchohol and that includes pot.

They will drink, they will have sex, they will get into trouble. Because it feels good. Why do we try to ignore it? Why can't people be taught to take thier pleasure responsibly instead of loading it with the baggage of guilt and keeping it a secret?

[Denis on 06.11.05 at 02:41]

Its Illegal,

As for the random drug testing... it was NOT for a sports team. It was for signing up to join the squash club in which I was required to submit for testing. I feel it is very stupid that if I want to go work out and play a few games of squash with friends that I should have to submit to a violation of my privacy that has nothing to do with playing a game of squash or two a week.

While certainly I have nothing to hide, I see this as no different then government being allowed to come into my house at any time to examine and search the premises at their convenience to ensure that I'm law abiding.

Sounds like a dictatorship style of living to me, so why are they allowed to take my blood under the same premise?

Yes I agree that youth should know better then committing an illegal act. Yet I also think they should be better educated on the RISKS of such acts. That was my point.

Just because you know something's illegal doesn't mean your not gonna do it anyways. When was the last time you jay-walked? How about bikes that ride in the middle lane, ever done that?

By your suggestion Its Illegal, I vote we should introduce stiffer penalties for all illegal acts. Any person caught jay-walking should be charged and get a criminal record and no longer be allowed to travel to or do work with the states.

Hell, anyone caught going even 1 KPH over 35 should also be charged and get a criminal record! How about every person who fails to make a full stop at a stop sign? They'd better be included too! What if they don't look both ways before crossing the street? If that’s not illegal it should be.

Contributing to this island is always a waste of time because someone is always trying to pull you down. It's no wonder so many of our youth would rather sit on walls getting high then think about the future that our parents choose to sacrifice oh so willingly.

[Its Illegal on 06.11.05 at 07:10]

Denis,

So when should they test? Just when you compete? Some would argue then that they are singling out and targeting competitors. By requiring you to submit at sign up, they are being inclusive. Its then your choice to decide to go for it. Hardly like coming into your house! Sorry, that does not wash Denis. You can go do your work out and smoke your spliff at another place mate!(not you personally of course)

I'm sorry Denis, but your attitude is wrong. By your arguement, all those pitfalls and rules should then be dragging everybody down, not just the few involved right now. There are Numerous other choices, and they are just that..... CHOICES.... if you decide to go down that path.... you have to then expect and accept the consequences. Instead of making up excuses for why those guys 'on the wall', and thereby justifying it at least to them, argue why they need to get off their asses.

[Its Illegal on 06.11.05 at 07:34]

Oh Denis,

You do know that the Black list is controlled by the US right? Not Bermuda. So you'll need to change THEIR laws if you are worried about your travel.... you've got a lot of work to do, so get busy.
With the 'Global Economy' now we are directed by the global thoughts on drugs and other issues.

[blovator on 06.11.05 at 11:16]

Yeah lets talk about the Global Economy and global thoughts on drugs and other issues.

Consider Colombia. The current law say cocaine is illegal. An enormous amount of Columbia's resources go to - controling production. Privately, an enormous amount of people's energy in Columbia goes to making Columbia the biggest provider of cocaine in the world. Unfortunately for columbia, all but about a tenth of the profits for cocaine leave that country.

The US government want Columbia to work with it controlling production. Thats because, at home, the US has unenforcable laws banning the use of cocaine. It has lost the war at home and has moved it to the source. So Columbia is in turmoil. This is what global thoughts on drugs has led to.

The solution? The obvious and capitalist solution is for Columbia to legalize cocaine so that it can begin to control production. This of course would put the US in same position as China in the19th century. A little country - England - was selling China - a big market - opium. Yes, it used to be legal. In a big way.

This could happen to Columbia and it would make Columbia very rich. But only as long as the laws in the US are so desparately bad.

[Denis on 06.11.05 at 13:02]

Its Illegal,

I appreciate your response to the issue, I would much prefer an intelligent discussion on the topic to hopefully give insight to those who arn't aware of all the details so they can make choices for themselves of what we should do as a country. This country is a combination of the wants and needs of all people who live here, not just the desires of the few and it is through intelligent discussion that we can establish the best route.

Drug testing in sport was originally reserved for determining if you are using performance enhancing drugs to better your ability to compete. I don't agree with the migration from testing for competitive sport to testing for amateur.

Perhaps my house example wasn't a great one. How about if they introduced random drug testing for bus pass holders? What kind of impact would that have?

Fitness and proper health are vital to the survival and future of our society. North Americans are notoreously FAT and unhealthy. Should we specifically contribute to Bermudians being the same?

My feeling is that it is a violation of my right to privacy and to live my own life. I don't particularly want to live in a communist state where I have to submit my every whim and thought to the review of the state. My point is that I would rather CHOOSE to not participate then submit to this. Hell, I won't even deny that I've tried marijuana, I've been to Amsterdam. Bermuda however is a place where I want no part of it because I am very aware of the risks and am not about to throw away my future for a couple hours of being high. I'd rather plan a week in Amsterdam... yet of course upon return I could get tested and thrown in rehab and have my life, career and reputation ruined over nothing.

Perhaps I don't have a solid understanding of the way the black list works. My understanding of it was that they black list you based upon having a criminal record. This means if you get a speeding ticket (which is a fine, but not chargeable), you won't get black listed. However if you drive drunk and get caught and get criminally charged, you will get black listed. Perhaps I'm not correct and I would welcome any resources or links you could provide for further information and understanding.

I believe Marijuana should be decriminalized. Sure leave strict fines, hell, even increase them. But I don't believe people should get a criminal record for a half a gram of pot. It is my understanding that local judges will often reduce the charge in certain circumstances just so that our youth don't get blacklisted. It is also my understanding that if Marijuana was no longer seen as a criminal offense and only seen as a ticketable one (like being drunk in public), that it would no longer be reported to the US and thus you would no longer be blacklisted.

As for the global economy. Perhaps we should consider the many countries that have not necessarily agreed with the US's drug policies and have been working to turn them over. Countries have been pressured by the US for the last 100 years to control drugs and they're getting fed up with it because it does not work.

It involves reclassifying drugs into other categories. Marijuana should not be classified into a high risk category like cocaine and heroin (I've been spelling that wrong too, my class was 2 years ago). If should be lowered to a lower risk category that is a fineable offense. Hell, put heavy fines on trafficing, and public possession and let people grow up to 3-5 plants in their own home if they so choose to smoke.

A number of countries have moved to do just that including Austrailia. The UK has moved to reclassify the drug into a non-chargeable class. Canada has spent alot of time talking about it and is on the verge of doing something, but are in the midst of one scandal after another at the moment.

If we want to control people's substance abuse it should be through choice. You mentioned choice as part of the drug testing in sport.

Ideally it would be better if we were to legalize drugs and make them accessable, yet track and control use. Ie, we track each person and their purchases, if they consume too much they've got a problem and as part of being able to CHOOSE to use drugs, they must submit to a review and potentially rehab. Make it available so it is not profitable for their to be an underground market. People will buy it regardless of what you do, whether it's from government or some sketchy guy on the street. The difference is at least if government does it you can control purity and ensure that things arn't tainted. Marijuana is a gateway drug because dealers lace it with harder drugs to try to get people hooked.

I know this may be completely unrealistic considering the US is constantly hovering over us and trying to control our political policies as they do with many countries worldwide.

There certainly is no easy solution. I just don't agree that prohibition and crack downs are the answer.

Canada has been doing it lately. They've been going hardcore on drug busts and there are reports every week of a new grow-op being busted.

What has happened? People have turned to an even harder drug that is taking center stage now. I can't remember the name off the top of my head, but theres huge concern for it's abuse in the central and western provinces.

My point of my first post was that there are hundreds of alternatives if we cut one supply.

LSD can be created out of chemicals commonly used to clean your kitchen that you can buy at any store. Along with other similar drugs.

I believe if we crack down hard, all we're going to do is bring a wave of even harder drugs.

I'd much prefer dealing with the lesser of two evils and let stoners smoke their pot and be lazy then deal with a bunch of people wacked out on Acid and other hard drugs that are alot more dangerous. Addiction is a scary thing whatever your addicted to.

People will intoxicate themselves one way or another regardless of what the law says. The alcohol prohibition proved it.

Ask yourself how many women are victims of abuse from alcoholics, yet it is still considered ok to drink? Pot heads may be lazy, but they're pacifistic too. If they're not, they're already crazy.

As for the risks of pot. Marijuana increases the risks of Schitzophrenia (spelling?) by 1.8 times for those who are ALREADY susceptable to it, yet has no increased risks for those who are not.

In terms of smoking it, it hasn't been proven that smoking marijuana directly causes lung cancer. There are also other means of consuming it including vaporization or ingestion.

Like I said, the lesser of two evils. I think we need to come up with a better solution. My vote is to introduce a controlled marijuana alcohol (it could help boost our tourism product and give us a more youthful and liberal image), decriminalize pot for posession of small amounts as well as a couple of plants. And increase fines for public use to keep it out of the public eye.

I have no idea if this is realistic given Bermuda's incredibly conservative nature. But if you know anything about the island and the international community, you know there is an underground community who are not so conservative in private yet put on the show for the public.

It's no different with the people in power in the states.

It's time we stopped playing these games and realise that the world is very quickly becomming a much smaller place, Bermuda too.

What solution would you propose?

[blovator on 06.11.05 at 13:18]

The biggest cash crop in the US "bread basket of the world" is pot. Growing marujuana is by far the biggest industry of Kentucky.

[SmokingGun on 14.11.05 at 15:30]

In today's paper 17 Crack Houses have been identified and as the RG states "warned" that they are going to be dealt with. "Drug dealers operating out of 17 crack houses on the Island have been given warning that their days are numbered."

I just love my country. I love the fact that all the crack dealers get the heads up on what's going down. Why don't they just send a moving van to help them with their move to new digs. Maybe one of those woodies Ashfeld brought in?

With this kind of assinine approach to drug control why bother with having Police. Mr. Perinchief and Sen. Mussenden - you just screwed up and I sincerely hope no police get seriously hurt now that the drug dealers have been pre-warned they are coming.

[JJ on 14.11.05 at 16:44]

I thought exactly the same thing when I read this. It's the Homer Simpson strategy!
Why on earth would you give a "heads up" to a bunch of criminals? So, that they can make a gettaway and set up somewhere else, 'cos that's what's going to happen anyway.

[Adjustah on 14.11.05 at 16:54]

I especially liked the bit where they warned Customs. Um, like, OK...

[JJ on 14.11.05 at 17:00]

Why was "Operation Clean Sweep" brought to a halt in 1998 under the UBP (I believe)?

[SmokingGun on 14.11.05 at 17:25]

No idea. But this whole debacle really makes you wonder a few things.
How long have our "leaders" known about the 17 crack houses? Did someone just open the telephone book and look up "Crack House"? I don't think so....if you read between the lines (no pun intended) it says some pretty scary stuff about the the people who are mean't to be on top of this.

[Nicolette on 14.11.05 at 17:46]

This crack house attack is all talk and headlines - the dealers don't hang out in there...a bunch of addicts will be rounded up and put in cells while kicking like a mule...a few under 18 "dealers" will get busted and thrown into the Co-ed facility and they'll be replaced by the next bunch of kids who sell on the street. What we need is to round up the inhabitants of the crack houses and have an option for them - jail or rehab - and our rehab needs to be lock-down, medical detox with varying stages of release back into the community and drug testing.

All Clean Sweep did was sweep the dealers to another area until the operation had a few casualties. This is what I call a "bandaid for bullet-hole" solution.

[SmokingGun on 14.11.05 at 18:42]

Locking the addicts up and allowing the real drug importers, dealers and financiers to go about their business is not even a band-aid. It would be out right protectionism.

[Bill Cook on 14.11.05 at 18:44]

What about the raid on Westgate ?

I mean if the police could not get in to Westgate surely this is the logical place for major dealers to headquarter no ?

When the deputy commiss of prisons said " we dont have enough money for a drug sniffing dog"
you know we are all sitting at the Mad Hatter's tea party in our real life Alice in Wonderland, where the drug Tzar is a liquor merchant and the major prison is a No Go area !!

[SmokingGun on 14.11.05 at 19:01]

Then you'd better make that 18 houses identified Bill. Bermuda truly is another world. Seriously, who in their right mind would want to be the police commissioner? Everything you do is undermined by "Bermuda-aucracies" even to the point that it could be a danger to your own officers.

[Intrigued on 15.11.05 at 08:41]

My general read of this thread is as follows:

A few people arguing that pot is illegal therefore crack down at all costs - rid the scurge.

Far more saying that pot is not that harmless and it should be decriminlaized or legalized. Profits could then be redirected to programs for those addicted to hard drugs and also for enforcement of those selling hard drugs.

My question to the former group is simply this: "How is marijauna more harmful than alcohol. And if it is more harmful, does the additional "harm" justify spending so much money and efoort in a losing effort to control it.

I really would like someone to answer that question. With specifics. I don't want people to simply say it is a gateway drug and therefore bad. I have yet to see any studies the corroborate that statement. I of course would be open to reading them if they exist.

As for the U.S. not wanting others to have more lenient laws on marijuana use. Simple, make very very harsh laws for anyone found trying to export marijauna from Bermuda to the U.S.

ANyone have any compelling reasons why marijauna use is any different than alcoihol use?

[Sandys Man on 08.12.05 at 11:56]

I had to laugh today, the Jamaican woman caught with cannabis’ contact on the island is called “April Showers”

It gets worse, that’s a real person!

The true cause of drugs crime on this island is obviously giving kids silly names.

[thisgrassman on 08.12.05 at 13:09]

Risking the wrath of the Uncle Sam Rah Rah Ranting Club I submit another illustration of the septic** cultural influences eating away at Bermudian Society.

This caught my attention in today’s RG………………”He is sick of pop culture glorifying the gangster life, as if prison was an acceptable life choice – because it is left to Focus to clean up the mess”. …………extracted from an interview with Nelson Bascome on page 4 discussing Bermuda's chronic drug problem.

Dare I suggest it is American pop culture he is referring to?

**septic – vernacular etymology – cockney rhyming slang meaning an American, from septic tank = yank (or also “seppo”)

[Uncle Elvis on 08.12.05 at 13:10]

Intrigued,

I'm one of the guys that believes that marijuana is basically a victimless drug and should be decriminalized. I haven't seen anyone say that it's less or more harmless than alcohol, so...

However, I'm all for prosecuting marijuana dealers and smokers because... well...
THEY'RE BREAKING THE LAW!
Until we can get together and decriminalize marijuana, I firmly believe that smokers and dealers should suck it up and take their licks like any other criminal.

Do I think it should BE criminal? No.
Is it? Yes.
Do I think that's fair? No.
Does life suck if you get caught with pot? Yep.

So... basically, if you don't want to go to prison for marijuana, bust your ass and get all your friends and accquaintences to help decriminalize it.
Until then, if someone is not actively trying to change the law, they really should shut the hell up because they're breaking it.

On a lighter note...
"ANyone have any compelling reasons why marijauna use is any different than alcoihol use?"

I once "converted" a viciously anti-pot character at a party once (bleating on about it being a gateway drug with a Scotch on the rocks in his paw) by asking him this:

You're at a party. There are two groups.
Group 1. Thirty Rugby louts high off their ass on marijuana.
Group 2. 10 Geeky accountants (not saying all acountants are geeky, but you know some are...) drunk of their ass.

You have to pick one to hang out with.
Which do you think will cause less hassle?

The other difference is, when you're drunk, you think you can drive, or fight or do superhuman things.
When you're high, you think the same things, but can't be bothered to get off your ass to do them.

"You know what? You're an asshole, maaaan. I'm gonna kick your ass... in a minute.. hold on... *giggle*... minnit... minnnnnnnnnnnnit... *heehee* Dude.. have you ever noticed how weird that word is? MINNNNNit."

[SmokingGun on 08.12.05 at 13:50]

Um Um... Uncle E... Which group are you currently hanging with? ;)

[Uncle Elvis on 08.12.05 at 13:59]

heh. Neither, actually. Just me and m'darling, most nights.

Me, my booboo and Survivor. The stuff that dreams are made of.

[silencedogood on 08.12.05 at 14:18]

Thisgrassman,

See--you finally found a legitimate beef with America. I knew you could.

I agree that the gangsta subculture from the US is a negative influence. That still doesn't provide the US-scapegoat for the entire drug problem for which you seem to be searching.

Bermudians can still reject drugs (which the US is not responsible for bringing here), and they can choose not to partake of that style of music or movies. If there was no market no one would import it.

So while that subset of US culture does aggravate the problem it's not the root...or are you suggesting that US culture is so appealing as to be irresistable?

In fact, the paper seems to suggest per-capita drug use in Bermuda is higher than the US. Could it be that we are having a negative influence on them? Perhaps there is a Limey in Manhattan blog where your doppleganger is currently typing "New York's drug problem is linked to how many New Yorkers visit Bermuda." Perhaps this is why tourist numbers are falling off? They are afraid we will convert them into drug addicts.

Maybe you draw fire, not because those who criticize your posts are americanized zealots, but because you are consistently trying to blame all social problems on one source. I would find your reasoning just as flawed if you used the UK, France,Zimbabwe, or Jamaica as your whipping boy.

Come to think of it, Caribbean culture seems to have strong drug component to it but I've yet to hear you say it plays a role despite the heavy caribbean influence in some sectors of the community. The jamaican flag is flown more than the bermudian one on court street. Blaming the caribbean for bermuda's drug problem would still be bunk, but at least you'd be consistent.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 08.12.05 at 14:28]

Silencedogood,

"Caribbean culture seems to have strong drug component to it..."

Sorry, I have to disagree very strongly with you on this. There may be a perception of this because of the stories of Jamaica, marijuana and Rastas but the Caribbean does not have a strong drug component.

Because of the popularity of Rastas with many in Bermuda there has been a proliferation of marijuana use in Bermuda. Cocaine and heroine are not influences from the Caribbean.

[Uncle Elvis on 08.12.05 at 14:42]

I don't see 'grass's posts as blaming American culture, just pointing out aspects of it that may have a negative influence on Bermuda. I don't think he, or anyone else here, is blaming America as the sole root of the drug problem.

And, to reinforce Guilden's post, what was it someone said about a big brush?

Hello, Pot, this is Kettle...

[silencedogood on 08.12.05 at 14:47]

Guilden,

You are correct. I'm sorry, I got carried away responding to the 'grassman.

I withdraw the reference to the Caribbean and limit it to Jamaica. The rest I stand by, including the fact that blaming our drug problem on Jamaica's influence would also be incorrect.

I just find it ridiculous that out of that entire article in which references are made to the lack of police presence, prevelence of crack dens, the roots of substance abuse being linked to physical and sexual abuse, etc. the grassman holds up US pop culture as the defining trait of the article and implies it is to blame for the problem.

[silencedogood on 08.12.05 at 14:52]

ps. and I'm not saying Jamaica has a problem with crack, etc. either. It may, I don't know. My reference was to point out that blaming a cultural influence is ridiculous when other factors are dominant.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 08.12.05 at 14:54]

Silencedogood,

I agree with you. To try to blame another country for the faults of Bermuda and Bermudians is ridiculous. We need to take responsibility for our own actions or inactions, whatever the case may be.

[SmokingGun on 08.12.05 at 14:59]

Not for nothing but the "Gangsta" image is a real problem. Should one try to live the lifestyle that is promoted it will inevitably lead to drug dealing and use and all the stupid stuff that goes with it.

I'm amazed that some people actually are impressed by dumb idiots and want to emulate them. I saw a piece on the TV the other day about a group calling themselves MS13 or something like that and they were interviewing a guy in jail who'd killed a girl member. I'm sorry but I wish I had a way to fry him right then and there.

[JJ on 08.12.05 at 15:11]

I agree that you can't blame another country for our faults but surely you have to admit the humungeous influence that America and American culure (oxy moron?) has on Bermuda. Everything you experience here has been brought here by another country and America being the biggest and badest has the greatest influence. It's not America's fault that we bow to it, it's just a fact of modern life from clothes, to food to movies to, yes, drug culture.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 08.12.05 at 15:21]

JJ,

But can you blame another country because a part of its culture has reached Bermuda? Due to the hemisphere that Bermuda is in, television satellite feeds come from the U.S. What should Bermuda do, ban t.v. feeds?

Anytime you have as much access to a culture as Bermuda has to the U.S. there is going tobe some influence but you cannot blame the other country.

Heck, there are gangs in Europe and the Far East and well as drug use and distribution. Is that due to U.S. influence as well? Is the Red Light District in Amsterdam a U.S. influence?

[m on 08.12.05 at 15:23]

if anyone is interested, check out this book -- i think it has some great relevance to bermuda and our situation...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0205305571/qid=1134069564/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-9098023-0948823?n=507846&s=books&v=glance

[Uncle Elvis on 08.12.05 at 15:35]

So you honestly believe that there are no influences from foreign culture? Is this what you're saying? None at all?
You're saying that gangsta rap, hippy music, reggae, movies glorifying the drug culture, tv shows doing the same, celebrities openly doing drugs etc. etc. have NO influence on young people getting into drugs?
I just want to get this straight.
As I said, I don't think that anyone is placing the blame solely on American culture, but I think we have to recognize that there IS some influence.

[silencedogood on 08.12.05 at 15:46]

JJ,

It's no surprise that I agree with Guilden. I think your post answered it's own question. Here's why:

I think most Bermudians want to be viewed as Bermudians not as Americans. They likely want to be seen as distinct in the world. That's a good thing and no slight to the US. Bermudians are entitled to be proud of their country. This impulse means Bermudians can take credit for their successes.

The flipside is that Bermudians have to take responsibility for problems as well. It may be convenient and more comforting to blame others, but as you point out, it is the individual Bermudian who is deciding to take up that cultural image.

If we are just mindless drones who follow whatever the US culture is doing at the moment, then we aren't entitled to the credit for our successes either. That too could be credited to the absorbtion of US culture.

The influence is undeniable, but the responsibility of absorbing what's good and leaving behind what is bad belongs to us. To say otherwise handicaps our ability to solve those problems which exist.

[silencedogood on 08.12.05 at 15:51]

Uncle Elvis,

Is it the US's fault that I went to see the 50 cent movie last month at Liberty Theatre? Hell no.

I went because I like 50 cent and wanted to see the movie. It was entertaining. I saw it, liked it and I'm not on drugs. It's not like this is the only product being put out by the US either. There are a hell of a lot of shows and movies to choose from. Choose being the operative word.

If the US cultural influence is so bad maybe we should stop stealing their cable.