More communication, more cooperation, and a helping hand from Government and business.

That's the prescription for Bermuda's independant AIDS agencies from two visiting American activists.

Following a weekend tour of the Island, Chairman of the Board Gary Bailey and Executive Director Larry Kessler of the Boston-based AIDS Action Committee came away impressed with the energy shown by front line workers, and left behind a list of strategies to help bring the AIDS pandemic into sharper focus.

And priority one they say, should be a three-pronged attack by Government, AIDS agencies, and the business community highlighting not only the human costs but the economic commonsense of prevention over treatment.

"There's a need (worldwide) to help the private and public sectors understand the nature of AIDS and to get their act together,'' Mr. Bailey yesterday told The Royal Gazette .

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome they argue, is a disease that thrives on dissension and it's cost to society in terms of lost potential is incalculable.

"Prevention is far cheaper than treatment, by about 30-to-one if measured in dollars. And with all the new medicines coming out it isn't getting any cheaper to treat AIDS,'' said Mr. Kessler.

Perception of the virus also has to change: "Everyone likes to think it's on the other side of the tracks; that it won't happen to them. But there's no place on this globe untouched by the virus and to deny that is to court disaster,'' adds Mr. Kessler.

Meanwhile with its heavy flow of tourist traffic Bermuda stands in full current of any human-borne disease and AIDS, silently, slowly, is the most lethal of this Century's pandemics.

Island agencies such as Agape House, STAR, and the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation are doing remarkable work the team say, but are struggling under a "terrific shortage of money.'' Movement toward the formation of a coalition of resources is encouraging and needed, but the agencies can't do it alone.

Government and business they contend, are essential to the prevention programme, taking the message of prevention into schools and to the wider public.

"A uniform health education programme is the most sensible thing one can do.

Put it through the schools, teach kids about past epidemics and how they spread,'' said Mr. Bailey.

"Bermuda's kids are now in the middle of the most important epidemic of the 20th Century. To not tell them about prevention is to abdicate adult responsibilty.'' "With a worldwide effort we could burn out this virus through prevention,'' says Mr. Kessler, but the ball starts rolling at all levels.

Don't go out and reinvent the wheel they suggest. Just spread the message.

The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusettes they point out, has adopted a civil defence strategy, pulling together disparate resources under one umbrella, including Government and business interests. Bermuda -- with its smaller population -- is well placed to consider a similar strategy.

"I would hope Bermuda doesn't wait to get it's first celebrated poster child,'' adds Mr. Bailey. "For this Island to remain a paradise, a paradise must get together to deal with its problems.''