Bermuda was warned yesterday: Stop pulling your punches in the war against drugs.

Anti-drugs campaigner Mrs. June Ann Furbert sent out a clarion call for all Bermudians to pluck up courage and join the fight.

"One individual can make a difference,'' she declared to Hamilton Rotary Club.

She added: "We expect law enforcement, special task forces, and prevention agencies to fight the battle alone while we, as individuals, think that because we support these initiatives, we are doing all we can to aid in the fight.

"We will not succeed until each individual decides to get earnestly involved.

Until we all have the courage to stand up and take individual responsibility for doing our part.'' Mrs. Furbert is assistant director and coordinator of Friday's Moment of Consciousness -- the annual five-minute pause Bermuda takes to reflect on the drugs problem, and pledge personal commitment to fighting it.

She was speaking yesterday at the Rotarians' weekly luncheon at the Princess Hotel.

"Recognising that the battle is not being won, in no way implies that nothing is being accomplished -- there are many whose work in this field has put society in their debt.

"But, the success of any programme or initiative starts with the commitment of those involved. It starts with one person.'' Mrs. Furbert said drug abuse was directly linked to the "socio-economic structure'' of today's society.

"I recognised this connection when I considered that all of the information...all the people...all the organisations...and all the money...devoted to fighting the battle against drug abuse...was losing the battle.

"And I wondered why? Why, was the drug problem increasing? Surely, with our collective wisdom and resources we should be able to make some impact on the number of people who steadily, knowingly, increasingly decide to take the drugs.

"I believe that we can, with our collective wisdom and resources win the battle -- but I also believe that we have not yet come together to truly fight the menace of substance abuse.

"We did not commit all our forces because all of us did not understand how insidious this evil is.

"We did not understand that substance abuse affects not only the individual or their families, but the entire community, the country.'' Bermuda had learned the hard way about the devastation caused by drugs, she stressed.

"And now that we have learned that there's no way to escape the malignant influence -- now is the time for us to dedicate ourselves to a full-fledged battle to reclaim our children, our streets, our communities.

"But this must be a new battle, for we cannot fool ourselves into believing that our Police, laws, programmes, agencies, organisations, discussions, workshops and advertising campaigns are winning the battle. They are not!'' Mrs. Furbert said The Moment of Consciousness was the only current programme with the potential of create a diverse and unified coalition to fight drugs.

"The activities are planned to include people from every age and every walk of life, without distinction.

"This campaign opens the door to a sustained war on drugs by people with a common aim, using a plan that is common to every soldier.

"The campaign is non-partisan and preserves the equality, freedom of expression and dignity of each participant.

"I believe that we already know enough about substance abuse, we have enough victims, enough evidence, enough problems to come to the realisation ...the moment of consciousness...where our lack of personal commitment is exposed.

This is what The Moment is all about.'' Mrs. Furbert paid tribute to the National Drug Commission -- which is authorising and commissioning the campaign -- and Moment of Consciousness director Mrs. June Augustus.

She added the Moment of Consciousness included: A five-minute pause on Friday, as well as a special ceremony on the steps of City Hall involving political and community leaders: A march on Saturday from Global House to the National Stadium, starting at 9 a.m.

It will be followed by music, prayers, dramatic performances, a book launching, and small speeches.

The closing ceremony will be at 4 p.m., featuring a guest speaker and more music.