the Council for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

Executive director of the Council Mr. Gordon Johnson said yesterday that the way forward was through partnerships.

Mr. Johnson was talking about the rebirth of the Council to a meeting of Rotarians at the Hamilton Princess Hotel.

He noted that over the past few years the public had become confused by an increasing number of drug and alcohol services made available in the Island.

The Council was formed in 1974, and its founding members followed the 12-step programme practised by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Early on it focused on alcoholic problems such as under-age drinking, drinking during pregnancy and drunken driving. But in later years it began to include the prevention of drug abuse in its work.

Mr. Johnson said that over the years a number of new groups had formed and the public had become confused over the Council's role.

"We have decided to recommit to the original mandate made 20 years ago, which was to publicly address the effects of alcohol and drugs,'' he said.

"The concept is that we form partnerships involving individuals and organisations from all over the Island.'' The Council has already worked with the ADT Fitness Walk and the Bank of Butterfield Mile organisers to promote a drug and alcohol free lifestyle. And partnerships are beginning with the interim steering committee of the National Drug Strategy and the Fairhaven centre for female drug addicts.

Mr. Johnson praised the "immeasurable contribution'' of Mr. Calvin Ming in Bermuda's drug fight. Mr. Ming is presently in hospital in the United States, awaiting a heart transplant.

Earlier the Rotarians pledged a three-year commitment to orphans of AIDS, following a recent talk by Mrs. Hilary Soares of PALS and Agape House.