ALCOHOL abuse remains "a big problem in Bermuda", according to one of the island's leading drug prevention organisations.

Though dedicated research to determine the depth of the problem has not been conducted since 1999, the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse (CADA) yesterday declared the problem as significant today as it was then.

"Alcohol abuse is a big problem in Bermuda," said CADA programme director Tawana Tannock. "Bermuda has a high percentage of binge drinkers. In the 1999 Adult Population Survey, at least 14.3 per cent of Bermudian adults reported that they drink more than five drinks at one sitting, more than three times a month. That means that three times a month, somebody's sitting down drinking more than five drinks in a row ? that's a lot. If you're a 150-pound male, and you have about three drinks within an hour, you're over the limit."

Ms Tannock made her comments in the lead-up to a month-long campaign designed to make the public more aware of the effect alcohol abuse can have on society.

Alcohol Awareness Month kicks off today with the theme, 'You Drink & Drive. You Lose'.

"We want to get the message across with drinking and driving," she explained. "You often hear people refer to drunk driving 'accidents'. We want the public to become aware that drunk driving accidents are not accidents. They can be prevented ? you can either not drink or, you cannot drive."

The campaign will be officially opened today, with a proclamation read by the Acting Minister of Health & Family Services Neletha Butterfield on the steps of City Hall.

Guest speakers will address the topic of alcohol abuse and members of PRIDE will perform. The event is open to all. The first 50 in attendance will receive a free, packaged lunch.

"It's really to raise dialogue in the community about alcohol abuse," Ms Tannock added. "The last survey was released in 1999 ? more than five years ago. It would be really good if somebody found the money to do it again.

"But for CADA, Alcohol Awareness Month is part of an ongoing programme to raise awareness. We have a programme throughout the year where we go into schools and talk to the kids about the harmful effect of drugs and alcohol ? from primary right on up to senior school. With this, we're narrowing the focus down to alcohol.

"So we've gone in and talked to the kids, but we also want to urge the public. We want to tell them that drunk driving is a crime, not an accident ? that they can choose not to drink and drive."

Alcohol Awareness Month's opening ceremonies will take place at City Hall today between 12.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. For more information, telephone 295-5982.