An aspiring MP has called for a curfew to be imposed on young teens.

The suggestion is one of many painting contractor Raymond Whitecross has put forward to bring the community together and "save youngsters''.

Mr. Whitecross, who ran for the National Liberal Party in Southampton West in 1993 and has since expressed interest in representing the United Bermuda Party, told The Royal Gazette : "I'm advocating a curfew due to the fact that there is increasing concern about drugs and violence in our schools.

"We talk about the war on drugs. I think it is time we drop the bombshell.'' Mr. Whitecross suggested parents should impose a curfew of 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on weekends for their young teens.

Admitting that he did not expect everyone to support his proposal, he said: "There are a lot of families out there with children having children and there is no direction. We're losing our children.

"We seem to have a problem with people working two to three jobs. So we need to get back to the point where grandparents and friends can look out for children.'' Mr. Whitecross also stressed the community had to protect youngsters from drugs, namely alcohol.

And he estimated its impact on families was just as devastating as illicit drugs.

"Look at the homes it has split up and the violence and abuse it causes in some homes,'' he said.

"Politicians on the hill have to consider this, if not we are just wasting our time and playing games.'' The business sector also needed to take some responsibility, he added.

"They could stop selling alcohol in their stores or have a separate area where it is only sold to those 18 and older with identification,'' Mr.

Whitecross said. Stores could also only sell beer in cases.

"Youngsters are less likely to buy a case of beer.'' Stiffer fines should also be imposed on those caught selling alcohol to minors, he added.

"We need to understand that we need to save our youth if we want to keep Bermuda a safe haven for all of us.'' Mr. Whitecross also suggested using all schools as community centres for family activities after school hours.

"Youngsters need something to do after school and families need to spend time together,'' he said. "We could have competitions with one parish against another. I mentioned that in 1989, but it never really was followed up.

"We have some serious problems with the attitudes of youth and adults today.

The bars are full and parents and others who have an alcohol problem feel it is necessary to take the youngsters with them.

"The community needs to come together and put an end to this.'' While Social Services Minister Clarence Terceira admitted that he was concerned about the number of youngsters out at night, he said the idea of a curfew would have to be studied carefully.

"Maybe it will come to that,'' Dr. Terceira said. "I have not thought of all the parameters. How do you enforce it? Do you start it on a voluntary basis? It may be good to start by saying children of a certain age should not be out after 9 p.m.''