As the old year gallops into the history books, a new year is on the horizon, pregnant with its many triumphs and challenges. No doubt the national spirit will be severely tested in the coming year.

However, hard times are nothing new, and, with God's supreme guidance, the Bahamas, as a nation, is yet to see its finest hour.

And, at this festive time of the year, despite the many reports of serious crime, AIDS and other public health issues; a depressed economy, and a general decline of morality and discipline, it is well to remember that God is still on the throne and His grace is still our saving strength as a nation.

This year has witnessed cataclysmic changes on the national front. The Free National Movement was swept from power after nearly 10 years at the helm. The Progressive Liberal Party was returned to office after 10 years in the wilderness.

The economy dipped, and remains depressed, but predictions are rosy for the new year. The monster of crime continues to disrupt the tranquility of life for all within our borders. Drug trafficking is a major problem, and is likely to continue to be a thorn in the side of the authorities in 2003.

We have seen it all before, the best and the worst of times. We survived as a people many of the worst hurricanes to hit these shores in the last half century. We have come through slavery and colonialism, and are masters now of our own destiny. We have survived the transition from a sleepy fishing village, to a centre of international finance and banking, a tourism leader in the region, and one of the foremost sporting powers in the world.

The resilience of the Bahamian spirit, we believe, will stand the test of time.

In 2003, the government must pursue policies that would maintain a high level of employment, attract foreign investment and cut a disturbing crime wave.

In the new year, the government must lead the way in devising a comprehensive strategy to tackle crime. Something must be done urgently to address the rate of recidivism at the prison. Prison conditions need urgent attention. Punishment and rehabilitation must go hand-in-hand.

We are reminded of the conditions of Jamaica, our sister to the south. Prime Minister P J Patterson, recently returned to power in general elections, has moved decisively to fight a menacing crime problem on that island.

Patterson has seen it necessary to impose curfews in certain areas. Soldiers and regular police officers are now working together to tackle the problem. Mass searches are conducted of specified homes and abandoned buildings, used by criminals to hide illegal guns, are laid waste. Lots with overgrown weeds and bushes are cleared.

In this beautiful, mountainous land, frequent roadblocks are the order of the day. Criminal activities have gotten so out of hand, that Patterson has promised a resumption of hanging in the new year. Jamaica, he said, has had enough of the "gunmanship."

He has put the "dons" on notice that their days are numbered.

It is not being suggested that Prime Minister Christie take such drastic measures. But it is evident that some form of concerted, sustained approach to the problem of crime is urgently needed. However, it is logical to suggest that many of the government's fine efforts in reviving the economic fortunes of The Bahamas will be wasted if crime is not contained.

Perhaps the government might wish to consider the Jamaican approach to this problem and, fine-tune it, if necessary, to suit the needs of The Bahamas.