By ten years old, the average Bermudian child has had his or her first drink of alcohol.

By the time they are 16, six out of every ten teenagers have tried alcohol and teenagers who start drinking before they are 15, are five times more likely to develop alcohol dependence.

Those were some of the alarming statistics revealed yesterday and is why the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) chairman Anthony Santucci continues to convey the organisation's messages — no underage alcohol consumption and don't drink and drive.

Mr. Santucci was speaking at the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday when he released these figures as well as those from their operation 'Let Us Drive' which started last year.

He revealed that the programme, which offers free rides home from Front Street, had helped bring at least 800 people home from the bars safely between 3.15 a.m. and 3.45 a.m. on Friday nights.

"The goal of the programme is to potentially save lives by providing an alternative to drinking and driving for people who may have been out drinking in Hamilton on a Friday night," he said,

"This free service operates every Friday night from Front Street between 3.15 a.m. to 3.45 a.m. and provides a safe method of getting home.

"We hear almost every day while listening to or watching the news and reading the newspapers about the numbers of people who were arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Bermuda.

"It is our goal at CADA to ensure that an alternative exists to drinking and driving. We also want to change the public's mindset from 'let me take a chance and get home, I've had a few drinks, but I'll risk it, it'll be okay' to the point where drinking and driving is no longer an accepted norm and no longer tolerated."

Last week CADA announced that April was Alcohol Awareness month and in so doing, they have also asked the Island to give up drinking alcohol for just one day — April 25.

Mr. Santucci, who estimates that the Island spends between $150 million and $200 million a year on alcohol, said if people cannot give it up for one day they should reassess their lives.He said: "If you haven't had an opportunity to participate in a No Alcohol Day, I encourage you to take a stand this year. Join us as we observe a day of abstinence from alcohol."You don't have to change your daily routine, you can still hang out with friends, you can plan an intimate dinner or a party as you normally would."All we ask if that you don't drink alcohol. If you cannot have an event without alcohol for one day ask yourself why you cannot do that."Mr. Santucci also introduced the new Board which include vice chairman Calvin Stovell, treasurer Kim White and secretary Lillian Veri and Adam Wocel, Brenda June Millett, Constable Scott Devine and CraigSmith.To contact CADAcall them at: 295-5982 or visit their website at www.cada.bm.