The Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) is continuing its push to school individuals in the responsible sale of alcohol.

And the Leopards Club has signed on to the plan, offering its premises for a week-long TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures) course, now being held.

"This week's TIPS training fulfills the Department for National Drug Control (DNDC) master plan and action plan which calls for every licensed establishment in Bermuda to have a number of their management and staff certified in a responsible alcohol sales and service training programme," stated CADA chairman Anthony Santucci.

"This is the third training event we have had this year. We are fully committed to the TIPS programme and our goal is to see every server and seller of alcohol in Bermuda trained under this important, potentially life-saving initiative."

He continued: "We are pleased to partner, for the first time, with the Leopards Club which is providing the venue. The management at the club has fully embraced the programme and has committed to the success of this week of training."

As explained by Mr. Santucci, TIPS is a skills-based training programme designed to "prevent underaged drinking, drinking and driving, alcohol abuse and alcohol-related tragedies".

A one-day course on offer to owners, managers, servers and sellers from licensed establishments, it consists of video presentations, discussions, simulations and role playing.

An exam is taken at the end of training. Those who pass receive an internationally-recognised TIPS certification, valid for three years.

"This is an important community programme and Leopards Club, as good community citizens, feel it is vital to support such programmes," said Leopards Club president Denny Richardson. "Responsible selling and serving of alcohol is a collective responsibility and in this vein I equally encourage all licensed establishments to participate."

CADA expects 100 people representing 25 establishments will have successfully completed the programme by the time it ends next week.

For more information on CADA and the TIPS programme, visit www.cada.bm.