The National Drug Commission vowed yesterday to oppose the sale of alcohol at Bermuda's beaches claiming statistics show up to half of all drownings are alcohol related.

In a Press release, the NDC said it fears legal alcohol sales are spreading to beaches popular with children ? such as Horseshoe Beach, which is being considered for a liquor licence today.

One of the vendors at Bermuda's most well known beach is expected to go before Liquor Licensing Authority in Magistrates' Court but those opposed to alcohol sales on the beach are expected to make their voices heard are the court.

Yesterday, NDC CEO Dr. Don Philip said the group was disheartened by the recent approval of alcohol sales at the Clearwater Beach facility.

In a Press release, he said many studies in North America have shown that 25 to 50 percent of drownings ? the third most common cause of unintentional injuries ? resulted among persons who had consumed alcoholic beverages on or near the water during their most recent aquatic activity, said the release.

"The NDC opposes the sale of alcohol at any and all of Bermuda's public beaches," Dr. Philip said. "We must unite to stop the process at Horseshoe Bay Beach."

Prevention Officer Kimberley Jackson said alcohol affects the central nervous system and brain of those who drink it and could lead to undesirable behaviours on local beaches.

"It can make users loosen up, relax, and feel more comfortable," she said. "It can also make persons more aggressive or lower their inhibitions, which can set them up for dangerous or embarrassing behaviour.

"These adverse effects do not bode well with the established safety precautions required around water.

"Nor are the possible resultant behaviours what the NDC, or the public on a whole, would want to see associated with youth beach goers."

Bermuda would have to prepare itself for the possible increase in sexual assaults and violence, she added, and families would have to deal with "unnecessary uninhibited behaviour when they want to enjoy the beach".

She continued: "We must make a stand for our youth and families, and send a clear message that we do not want the sale of alcohol on our beaches. Adults can choose to go to a licensed establishment within walking distance of most of our beaches. We must maintain healthy environments for our youth and families."

Ms Jackson said there were significant problems with youth programmes at the Island's sports clubs that are partially caused by alcohol and drug use.

"Are we willing to compromise yet another positive environment?" she asked. "The reality is that as we continue to send these mixed messages to our youth and the community, we are actually encouraging young people to experiment with alcohol."

Additional studies have indicated that people who begin drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence by 14 percent.

Based on the 2000 Bermuda Student Survey, the average age of first use of alcohol in Bermuda is ten-and-a-half years.

"Given the problems that we are aware of in regard to alcohol consumption and its abuses, and given the battles we are facing in Bermuda with families struggling to be successful economically, frustrated parents, overworked single mothers (and fathers) and the experimentation by our youth with alcohol, I question the wisdom of making alcohol so readily available," added Martha Dismont, the executive director of the Family Centre.

"At some point, we need to act wisely and intentionally to reverse the negative trends in our community. Increasing the availability of alcohol, particularly where children congregate or play, is evidence of a community that has not been listening to the warning signs of what constitutes an unhealthy and self?destructive society.

"It dishonours the work of the agencies and organisations fighting for healthy standards and beliefs for this community to not take issue with this action."

The Press release also included a quote from a recent high school graduate.

Adrae James 17, of Southampton said: "I oppose the granting of the liquor licence at Horseshoe Bay beach. I have enjoyed the tranquil environment for many years with my family.

"I feel that if we allow alcohol to be sold and served to patrons at this location, it will add more to the complex social ills for our community that is already plagued with drugs."