A pilot programme to train staff in licensed premises to help promote responsible drinking has been declared a success.

Bermuda Responsible Alcohol Sales & Services (BRASS) - a joint project of the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA), the National Drug Commission and Bermuda College, was launched in April 1999, a lunchtime Rotary Club audience was told yesterday.

"BRASS is an educational programme designed for managers and staff of all licensed premises including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, grocery stores, retail outlets and tour boats," said Cathy Belvedere of CADA.

"At this point, staff has been trained in 22 establishments and managers in 23 establishments. There is an overlap of 18 establishments where both a portion of staff and managers have been trained. This represents 13 percent of 176 licensed establishments."

She added: "The Swizzle Inn has by far been our shining star and has adopted the programme as part of their staff training and all of the staff and managers have been trained.

"In addition a member of their management team is currently being certified as a trainer to provide the training to his colleagues in the industry. Most recently, Freddie's Pub on the Square has joined Swizzle Inn in having both staff and managers trained and in fact right here in Tuscany, which also includes Blue Juice, management has made a commitment to host a training session within the next few weeks in order to train all of their staff. "

She said based on anecdotal information the Swizzle Inn, an east end restaurant and bar is experiencing a drop in the number of `troublesome patrons that have remained on premises' as well as a drop in the `number of incidences where they have had to eject patrons, including those underage, simply by applying the skills learned in the programme'.