A local substance abuse prevention agency has knocked the possibility of alcohol being served on Bermuda ferries.

Cathy Belvedere, executive director for the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse prevention (CADA), said serving alcohol on ferries would be sure to send out the wrong message on drug abuse, especially considering the number of children who use the service.

She said MEF Ltd., the company recently selected to run concession services on Government ferries, should rethink the venture.

Last week, when asked about the possibility of alcohol service on the ferries, Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown said nothing had been written in stone.

He added that if there was an application presented by MEF, Government would consider it carefully.

"We in no way want to detract from the Minister of Transport's new venture in supplying the Island with two new ferries," said Ms Belevedere.

"But a 25-minute trip would encourage people to down their drinks in a hurry, which encourages binge drinking. There will be school children on the ferries as commuters in the afternoons and it would be potentially harmful if someone became intoxicated and put young people at risk."

MEF Ltd., the parent company of The Little Venice Group, also run food concessions at Bermuda International Airport.

It is understood MEF won the food-service bid over at least five other contenders.

The possibility of wine and beer being served to customers, Mrs. Belvedere said, may be going to far, reminding that April is Alcohol Awareness Month.

She suggested that the ferries, which are scheduled to be operational by mid-April, should join in that spirit.

"Part of the mission of CADA is to influence and advocate for a stronger, healthier Bermuda by providing practice model programmes that prevent alcohol, tobacco and other drug problems," she said.

"CADA realises that alcohol is a favourable beverage consumption for a large portion of our community - but the onus is on all of us to make ourselves aware of the effects of alcohol consumption and ensure that all concerns are reviewed and considered when setting a precedent."

Meanwhile, MEF Ltd. have been tight-lipped about their new venture, refusing to comment on the concession stands or the possibility of alcohol being served aboard ferries.