fight child abuse.

Health Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness said Government would also strive to find enough manpower to combat the problem.

His pledge followed a fierce attack on Bermuda's ability to protect her children.

The Coalition for the Protection of Children accused Government, social workers, the Police and Attorney General's chambers of failing youngsters.

Chairman Ms Sheelagh Cooper called for more money to be pumped into tackling abuse.

Poverty was connected to abuse, she told a Government task force probing the problem.

"Economic policy and resource allocation have a profound effect on the cycle of poverty and therefore the cycle of abuse.

"A better future for the families most disconnected to this country's prosperity will require a change in the way government chooses to allocate its resources, and an increase in the economic responsibility assumed by the private sector.'' Ms Cooper also urged a review of child abuse legislation, saying society was sending the wrong message to offenders.

She also described "parental drug use'' as one of the most devastating assaults on children's wellbeing.

"With a 70 million dollar a year drug trade, the ultimate impact on Bermuda's children is staggering.'' She added: "For drug involved or alcoholic parents, the risk of child maltreatment is very great.'' Ms Cooper said such families needed "intensive and specialised home intervention and support''.

Research showed a link between abuse in childhood and subsequent addictive behaviour in adults, she pointed out.

Yesterday Mr. Edness said he was pleased by the Coalition's presentation to the task force.

He said the task force was designed to examine "present programmes, legislation, and system generally that we have in the community for the prevention of child abuse''.

"It is only by forthright, well thought-out presentations by organisations and individuals such as the Coalition for the Protection of Children that we will make progress in dealing with this complex problem in our society.'' Mr. Edness said he could agree with much of what the Coalition told the task force -- as reported in last Friday's Royal Gazette .

"The task force will in due course present its report with recommendations to the Government. I look forward to that report with eagerness.

"It must be appreciated the difficulty the community will have is finding the resources, both money and human resources, to put in place those things that are required to effectively respond to child abuse in our society.

"However, the Government's concern, and I include all of Government, all my colleagues, is such about these problems that I am sure we will do our creative best to provide most if not all of the resources required.'' Mr. Edness applauded Miss Cooper and her colleagues for the way they had dedicated themselves to protecting Bermuda's children.