President of the Bermuda Football Association Larry Mussenden has thrown down the gauntlet to drug prevention groups and urged them to be more pro-active instead of reactive to the use of narcotics in soccer.

He said he appreciated their support of the BFA and Police campaign to kick drugs out of the game, but said the issue needed a multi-faceted approach, with all sides of the community getting actively involved.

Mussenden said: "I have heard them talk the talk, now I want to see them walk the walk.

"I'm asking these groups to meet with the executive of the BFA and the affiliated clubs, and to get out to football games.

"Leave the offices and get out to where the problems are and help to put plans in action."

The Royal Gazette revealed last week that Police had been invited by the BFA to raid football games around Bermuda to rid the sport of drug dealers and users.

And in turn, drug and addiction prevention groups PRIDE, CADA and The Family Learning Centre said they were glad to see action being taken in the hope that the game would once again become a family sport.

But Mussenden said success would take everyone's input, and not just verbal support.

He added: "We were pleased to hear these prevention groups speak and show their support for the efforts of the BFA to promote a drug free environment.

"But, having said that, I feel it's imperative that these same groups get involved with our programmes and get involved at a grass roots level.

"If we recognise that we have problems with some spectators and players at the clubs, then I invite them to make contact with the BFA so we can work on implementing proper programmes so the sport can prosper."

And he said he wondered why many prevention groups had never spoken up or got involved before.

He added: "I have consulted with other people in the BFA and have been informed that the National Drug Commission has had some involvement with the Association and clubs, but I can't say the same for some of the other prevention groups.

"I further note that many people have complained that we have had a problem with drugs over many years, but I cannot find that these prevention groups have been involved with the clubs for many years.

"This practise of isolationism is not healthy and we cannot win the war on drugs alone. I throw down the gauntlet to these groups to partner with the BFA in practical terms.

"I'm saying be pro-active. Don't be reactive."

Cathy Belvedere, executive director of the Centre for Drug and Alcohol Prevention, said: "We will be there in a heartbeat. We actually have a programme that I think the clubs can use with regards to alcohol. It is specific training for liquor licenses (holders). We definitely will be there. I will call Mr. Mussenden."

And Martha Dismont, executive director of The Family Learning Centre, was just as eager to get involved. She said: "I believe we (the three prevention groups) would be very interested in getting more involved.

"Our prevention work at the learning centre is about establishing families on the path to health and to prevent families from seeking out drugs as an answer to their many problems. Working with the BFA around strengthening families would be our focus."