law to keep the Island's youngsters out of trouble.

Chief Insp. Larry Smith said the move would help put the Police Force in a "pro-active light''.

"We do not want to be seen only as an arresting agency,'' he said. The inspector was one of nine speakers addressing a workshop on raising children at Saturday's National Educational Conference.

He spoke of the "very anti-social behaviour'' by youngsters on the street.

Ch. Insp. Smith said he learned of the legislation while recently attached to a unit of the Atlanta Police in the United States.

A juvenile found wandering unsupervised would be taken home -- not arrested -- by Police officers and the parents informed of what the child had been doing, he explained.

Repeat offenders would be handed over to social workers and probation officers -- along with their parents.

"I urge you help us enact this piece of legislation,'' he said. In an earlier address, Social Services director Ms Glenda Edwards said the drugs scourge was making "punching bags'' out of children.

It was a disturbing trend in the rising number of child abuse cases her department was seeing, she said.

"We recently had a two-year-old who came to us just black and blue,'' she said.

Ms Edwards said: "It's time we took a serious look at our most vulnerable group of people -- children. We are a very small community and we should be a model for the rest of the world.'' Most of the abuse cases involved parents who were substance abusers, she noted.

"Drugs is a major concern, particularly among single women,'' she said.

"Unborn foetuses are also being affected by moms using cocaine.'' Ms Edwards urged prompt action to prevent the trend developing any further.

Action also needed to be taken to address an increase in teenage pregnancies.

"We are seeing more and more,'' she said.

She said the Fair Havens women's rehab was a real asset to the department. The workshop was one of six during the morning conference held at the Southampton Princess Hotel. Comedian Bill Cosby delivered the keynote address.