Children will learn how to make healthy choices about drugs, alcohol and cigarettes at an early age, thanks to a soon-to-be-launched initiative.

The Al's Pals programme is aimed at helping students aged three to eight understand self-control and develop problem solving and social-emotional skills, as well as healthy decision making.

Sixty educators will learn more about the programme at Bermuda College next week, with all preschool teachers, paraprofessionals and school administrators in the public system to get initial training.

Al Pal's — a system taught in the US — is being introduced here as a joint initiative between the Ministry of Social Rehabilitation's Department of National Drug Control and the Ministry of Education.

Social Rehabilitation Minister Dale Butler said: "Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use is one of the top health problems on the Island and across the world.

"Unfortunately, it is woven into the traditions of our family, social and religious systems. It cuts across race, ethnicity, gender, community and cultures."

He said Al's Pals was recognised as an "evidence-based model prevention programme" which is taught through fun lessons involving the use of puppets, original music and creative learning activities.