Churches have been asked to use the power of prayer to reduce social ills associated with alcohol.

The parishioners will be asked to pray this weekend for a reduction in drink driving and underage drinking. The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) also wants them to pray for bartenders and urge them not to sell to intoxicated people.

CADA Chairman, Anthony Santucci stated, "This is an ambitious undertaking by CADA. We have asked all the churches, synagogues and mosques in Bermuda to participate in a prayer weekend.

"This coming weekend was chosen because it is the weekend immediately before No Alcohol Day which will be observed on Friday April 27."

CADA wants religious leaders to set aside time for prayer or give a sermon ton the harmful effects of alcohol.

Mr. Santucci said: "We at CADA believe that if one person is impacted by alcoholism it becomes a community issue to be tackled.

"CADA welcomes feedback from the congregation leaders we are asking them to contact us and tell us how they participated in the prayer weekend."

For more information about the prayer weekend and other Alcohol Awareness Month activities contact CADA at 295 5982.