UBP MPS TEST CLEAN FOR DRUGS

Opposition Legislators Have Passed Random Drug Tests With Flying Colours.

Under a scheme arranged with counselling services Benedict Associates,
United Bermuda Party parliamentarians and senators have to be drug tested
at random twice a year.

The zero tolerance drug policy began six months ago and ten out of 17
legislators have been called in for testing so far.

All tested negative for drugs.

Party leader Grant Gibbons said that the testing was "slightly ahead of
schedule" and he was pleased at the results so far.

"The original arrangement was to spread the senators and parliamentary
group over the course of the year," he said. "We have now done 59 percent
and everyone has tested drug free."

The UBP introduced drug testing for its legislators early this year after
failing in its efforts to get full House of Assembly approval for random
testing of all parliamentarians. Only Dale Butler of the ruling Progressive
Labour Party has joined the scheme.

Benedict Associates will inform the party if anyone tests positive or
refuses to provide a sample and the party will then take appropriate action.

Dr. Gibbons has said in the past that a positive test result would be
serious enough to warrant expulsion, but the party will not necessarily
turn away recovering addicts who want to serve.