Former probation officer takes over at the Centre for Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (CADA) as programme director.

In addition to recent experience as one of the first case workers in the new Drug Treatment Court, Tawana Tannock brings experience of working in Probation Services, and as chairperson of the Bermuda Prevention Network and as an educator.

She took over the post in August and said that she was looking forward to the challenge and said 'one is never to young to learn about the affects of substance abuse'.

She aims to focus on the Bermuda for Responsible Alcohol Sales and Services (BRASS) programme, which targets bar owners, bartenders and waiting staff to be responsible when selling liquor to both individuals who are drunk and those who are underage in a bid to stop people from driving while impaired.

"We plan to encourage bar owners to get their staff trained in checking the validity of identity cards and assessing whether someone has had too much to drink, by drink counting and looking at how fast the person consumed the liquor," said Mrs. Tannock.

"We want to also re-focus on the designated driver as this is really only publicised around Christmas and I think that people need to be aware of it at all times - we need to bring back a sense of safety to our roads.

"Many people do not realise that it is illegal to sell alcohol to a man that is already drunk. Companies like Bacardi and Burrows and Lightbourne have come on board to look at ways in which alcohol can be enjoyed without all of the associated problems like drink driving and violence."

Mrs. Tannock has seen the harmful affects of the substance abuse, both alcohol and drugs, and knows the effects on the individual and society and said she was now combining her skills in a preventative mode.

She said: "I have seen the decimation of people on drugs and alcohol, both in Drug Treatment Court and at Probation Services and I am looking at ways of prevention.

"We need to focus on everyone and people are never to young to learn about the harmful affects of substance abuse. Whether it is being aware of what the liver will look like after drinking too much alcohol. It is important to get the message out to the youth."

National Drug Commission (NDC) chief executive officer Dr. John Phillip welcomed Mrs. Tannock on her appointment.

He said: "We are very supportive of the BRASS initiative because we recognise the importance of addressing alcohol related issues in our community."

NDC prevention officer Kimberley Jackson said the BRASS initiative aligns with the NDC's prevention goals of underage drinking and impaired driving.

"It is hoped that these techniques will eliminate alcohol sales to underage persons," said Ms Jackson.

"With BRASS' success, CADA has the potential to be in a position as the lead agency for the prevention of alcohol problems in Bermuda."