yesterday by announcing its second "Moment of Consciousness Campaign'' at a media breakfast held at the Princess Hotel.

The last such "moment'' was held four years ago.

"At that time Bermuda was in denial about the extent of the drug problem,'' NDC chief executive officer Mrs. Eugenie Simmons said. "Now we are asking every individual to go beyond awareness and to address the subject of drug abuse on the Island.'' The "moment'' will be held on October 20, and will bring the entire community to a stop for a minute to acknowledge the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse on the community.

Despite initial controversy that surrounded political appointments to NDC's steering committee, Premier the Hon. Sir John Swan -- one of 13 speakers -- yesterday said the political parties were united on the drug war front.

However, Opposition Leader Mr. Frederick Wade -- also present -- said the Progressive Labour Party had begun the war on drugs years ago.

"We would wage nuclear war on drugs if we thought it would help,'' he said.

And Mr. Gordon Johnson, chairman of Council Partners -- a coalition of five registered charities -- said the weapon of choice was the people.

He said he hoped to get all parents involved in the local PRIDE (Parent Resource Institute for Drug Education) group.

"Many parents are also on drugs, whether it be illegal drugs, or tobacco and alcohol,'' Mr. Johnson added. "So children are left abandoned in terms of getting the message across.'' President of the US-based "Drugs Don't Work'' programme, Mr. William Kaufmann agreed.

He said because many of today's generation of parents did drugs themselves, they were "lacking in confidence and clarity on the issue of drugs''.

"Their kids don't get a clear message painted,'' Mr. Kaufmann said.

Recovering drug abuser Mr. Denton Outerbridge said: "Drugs are a cancer in our community.'' "I thought because I had a job I wasn't an addict,'' Mr. Outerbridge said.

"Then one night I was downstairs, blowing myself away on drugs when my heart started to pump and my head started to hurt.

"I thought I was going to die. I didn't want anyone to know I had died of drugs.'' From that moment, Mr. Outerbridge said he promised God that if he lived he would give up drugs forever.

Having been drug free for four years, Mr. Outerbridge said the problem in the community was getting worse and he said Bermuda needed to seize "this moment to take action''.

"Right here, right now the opportunity is knocking and we must answer,'' he said.

The "moment'' will be followed up with a community day celebration at National Stadium, on October 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.