anti-AIDS advertising blitz.

The move follows a shock study which showed many bed-hopping youngsters ignored the AIDS peril.

And the study reported that the "safe sex'' message was not being hammered home.

The proposed advertising offensive comes amid Government alarm at the study.

It is likely to involve putting information pamphlets in schools.

TV, radio and newspaper ads pushing the anti-AIDS message are also on the cards.

The drive is being prepared by a special committee from the Advertising and Publicity Association of Bermuda (APAB).

Chairman Mr. Tom Lamont yesterday discussed the strategy with Health and Social Services Minister the Hon. Quinton Edness yesterday.

Mr. Lamont kept Mr. Edness abreast of the committee's work.

"I met with him, and we are planning on giving a media conference to unveil the whole plan at the end of the month,'' Mr. Lamont said.

Mr. Lamont, the Bank of Butterfield's senior marketing manager, was reluctant to go into detail.

But he revealed the advertising push was close to being on the starting blocks.

As many as 50 people had volunteered to help put together an anti-AIDS strategy, he said.

"We are at the pre-production stage of putting together a total marketing plan. It is a fairly comprehensive plan we have been working on.'' Mr. Lamont said the Education Ministry would need to approve hitting schools with the marketing drive.

"All we can do is produce the materials,'' he added.

Mr. Lamont explained the anti-AIDS move came after Government challenged the community to combat the menace.

In January Mr. Edness described the results of the APAB's youth sex study as "frightening''.

The study conjured up a picture of promiscuous teenagers and adults regularly bed-hopping.

Two groups of up to seven people, from a cross-section of society, were quizzed.

One woman claimed: "AIDS is rampant in Bermuda and once it gets to the young people it's going to spread like crazy.

"Believe me, I know -- everyone is sleeping with everyone.'' It was revealed most relationships started very young -- between the ages of 10 and 13. Findings among the 16-25 age group confirmed Mr. Edness's fears.

STICKING TOGETHER -- Victor Scott Primary Two students Marlene Correira, left, and Claudia Deniel, right, keep each other company on the first day of school as Nickola Weekes looks on.